The latest episode of Chicago Fire, titled “Relief Cut,” brings Firehouse 51 back to its routine after the intense One Chicago crossover event, “In the Trenches.” Christopher Herrmann

(David Eigenberg) briefly mentions that Mouch (Christian Stolte) and Trudy (Amy Morton) are recovering well after Trudy’s terrifying brush with death. However, the team barely gets

a moment to breathe before another emergency call shakes things up.

Herrmann and Estevez Uncover a Shocking Scandal

The crew responds to a car accident where an elderly woman is trapped inside a burning hybrid vehicle. Unlike traditional gas-powered cars, hybrids pose unique dangers when they catch fire due to their electric battery’s risk of emitting toxic gases, high-voltage shock, and thermal runaway. As the team scrambles to free the woman, Herrmann and Kylie Estevez (Katelynn Shennett) rush to connect the hose—only to discover that the nearest fire hydrant is missing. Forced to drag the heavy hoses an extra 300 feet to the next hydrant, they manage to put out the fire, but the incident leaves Herrmann deeply unsettled.

Upon investigating further, Herrmann learns that this isn’t an isolated case—fire hydrants are being stolen across the city and sold to scrapyards for cash. Determined to get to the bottom of it, he enlists Estevez to help. They visit a scrapyard owned by Eddie (Brian Keane), who denies any involvement but suggests looking into scrapyards recently fined by the city. Lacking solid leads, Herrmann devises a bold plan.

Herrmann Outsmarts the Thieves

Herrmann and Estevez install a tracking device inside a new fire hydrant, and sure enough, it gets stolen and sold—to none other than Eddie’s scrapyard. When confronted, Eddie feigns innocence, but the tracker leads them straight to the stolen hydrants, now repainted and ready for resale. Herrmann and Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) lay into Eddie, warning that the city is placing trackers in all hydrants. Of course, that’s a bluff—but as Herrmann points out, the thieves don’t need to know that.

Although the culprit is caught, the bigger issue remains: hundreds of missing hydrants leave Chicago’s neighborhoods at risk. Later, Pascal invites Herrmann to a fundraiser attended by high-ranking officials, including the city’s new treasurer (Ryan Hall). That’s when Herrmann gets an idea.

A Mic-Drop Moment That Changes Everything

At the fundraiser, Herrmann takes matters into his own hands. He retrieves a heavy fire hose from his car, marches straight to the treasurer, and lays out the harsh reality—hundreds of hydrants are gone, putting lives at risk. The treasurer tries to dodge the conversation, but Herrmann doesn’t back down. He makes it personal, pointing out that hydrants near the treasurer’s daughter’s school are missing. “If there’s a fire, we have to drag these hoses an extra 300 feet—it’s like pulling a Buick down a football field,” he says before shoving the heavy hose into the treasurer’s hands. The treasurer, realizing the gravity of the situation, finally asks how much it will cost to replace them. Herrmann’s response? “Every hydrant we replace could save a life. So you tell me—what’s that worth?”

With that, Herrmann makes his exit—point made, no further discussion needed.

Herrmann Embraces His Role as Captain

Herrmann’s moment at the fundraiser is more than just a fiery speech—it marks a turning point in his journey as captain. While he’s always been a leader on the ground, he’s struggled with embracing the responsibilities that come with his new rank. Pascal has encouraged him to step up, reminding him that leadership isn’t just about fighting fires—it’s about making changes that protect his team in the long run.