When a fire claims one of their own, there's plenty of guilt and blame to go around. Lt. Matthew Casey, in charge of the Truck, tries to carry on, but butts heads with the brash Lt. Kelly Severide of the Rescue Squad - and each blames the other for their fallen team member. The firehouse also includes: Battalion Chief Wallace Boden, a fireman's fireman who is confronted by important personal decisions; paramedics Gabriela Dawson and Leslie Shay, who share a close bond and team together to face some of the most harrowing situations imaginable; Peter Mills, an academy graduate who is the latest generation in a family of firefighters; and Christopher Herrmann, a seasoned veteran who loses his home to foreclosure and now must uproot his family to move in with his in-laws.

Severide is hiding a serious shoulder injury sustained in the fire that killed Andy Darden, and grapples with his guilt as he fights to rescue a construction worker trapped in a building collapse. Adding to the burden, Darden's wife Heather turns on Severide at the annual firefighters' barbecue, blaming him for her husband's death. A call is made to an accident site at Hancock Tower, where two teenagers are pinned in a vehicle trapped beneath the falling debris of a broken window washer's cart. Meanwhile, Casey and Hallie work to figure out their future together.

Everyone in the firehouse is ordered to take a drug test after a call to a daycare center exposes them to a makeshift meth lab, and Severide stalls, not wanting his injury, or the painkillers he takes, to be discovered. Meanwhile, Truck and Squad find themselves pinned down by gunfire while trying to help the victim of a gang shooting, and a deep-fried turkey fire grows from small to explosive when a garage catches fire. Elsewhere, Dawson saves a bleeding man and Casey delivers a baby on the scene of a massive car pileup on the freeway.

A troubled Chief Boden goes to the police when a man dies in a hardware store fire set by Ernie, the troubled teenage firebug he’s been trying to help, and his Uncle Ray. Meanwhile, Severide decides on his future and reaches out to his father. Elsewhere, Otis finds camaraderie when he fills in for a few shifts at the slowest firehouse in the city, and makes a decision of his own, while Dawson and Shay find themselves in a bad predicament during a call to a tenement.

An arsonist targets Lt. Severide. Meanwhile, Station 51 is under scrutiny by Gail McLeod, a financial consultant for the city who is deciding if any firehouses should be closed. Mouch receives a visit from his Japanese girlfriend, Lt. Casey "celebrates the one-year anniversary of Andy's death, and Shay suspects Severide's paternity.

When a tanker collides into a commuter train that subsequently crashes into a warehouse, the firehouse is called to the horrific scene that tests everyone to the limits as life and death hangs in the balance. With the ultimatum in place for him or the firehouse, Boden is tasked with making life-changing decisions regarding his future. Severide learns more about Katie, the young woman he saw with his father. Meanwhile, Shay and Dawson are still at odds and Casey’s responsibility of being a surrogate father takes a sharp turn.

All seems lost with firehouse 51 on the verge of closing its’ doors, thanks in no small part to Gail McLeod, but Chief Boden and the rest of the house refuse to allow themselves to sit by and let it happen. An emergency call to an apartment structure fire tests everyone’s limits and puts the squad in harm’s way. Meanwhile, Dawson receives some life-changing news and union president Greg Sullivan makes headlines, which has an immediate impact on Mouch.

Severide feels sidelined as he leaves Detective Lindsay and the Intelligence Unit to do their job and locate his sister Katie. Shay gets an unusual tip from Chicago Blackhawk players Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith, who makes friends with Clarke and stop by Molly’s. Meanwhile, Casey learns more about his head injuries after another close call and Dawson pushes hard to pass the physical test at the Academy.

A fire at a boarding school leaves Lt. Severide shaken and wondering if he could have done more. Meanwhile, with the firehouse in full support of Dawson as she retakes the fireman’s exam, Lt. Casey attempts some political maneuverings on her behalf. Elsewhere, Mills looks for answers about his father’s mysterious past and Chief Boden’s grand plans take a detour.

Boden forces members of Firehouse 51 to pull themselves back together in the aftermath of a harrowing fire explosion. While Severide goes missing for one week too many, Casey works to track down his whereabouts. Newhouse brings some unexpected news regarding one of Mills’ relatives. Herrmann and Otis make some new goals regarding Molly’s.

Dawson tries to strike a balance with Casey during her first day as a candidate. Mills ponders an uncertain future. Severide faces his demons. A city inspector visits Molly's.

A house fire sees the team attempting to save the lives of a couple trapped inside. Chief Boden prepares to start his new family. The combination of life at work and home sees Casey and Dawson drifting apart.

Lt. Casey puts his life on the line and digs deeper into the shady dealings of Jack Nesbitt. Chief Boden must figure out how to create unity in a divided house, while Severide comes to question his own judgment. A dangerous warehouse blaze quickly gets out of control and threatens members of firehouse 51.

Patterson fills in for Boden, who's trying to clear his name. Severide learns where Serena may be hiding. Herrmann and Otis give Freddie a job that keeps him close by. Jimmy and Chili draw more attention then either bargained for.

The team responds to a mass shooting; Casey investigates the missing money from the fund-raiser. Jimmy agrees to represent the firehouse in a boxing match against the Chicago PD's 21st District. Chili's behavior continues to be an issue for Brett.

Severide and Stella search for Grant, who's AWOL from Chicago Med. Dawson questions her career path. Casey's relationship with his political consultant cools. Borrelli's anger at Boden over his brother's death boils over. Mouch and Brett partner on a new venture.

Lt. Casey and Dawson apply for permanent adoption of Louie, but quickly discover a hurdle. Firefighter-turned-medical student Jeff Clarke approaches Lt. Severide with an interesting proposition. With hopes of reinvigorating business at the bar, Otis convinces a skeptical Herrmann to throw a bash in celebration of the milestone 100th anniversary of Molly's, but not without complications.

After exercising his disdain and authority over Chief Boden, Chief Anderson reassigns members of 51 to various houses around town, citing the need for improvement. The ramifications are felt by the crew, who are left to make the best of their respective situations in their new surroundings.

Casey discovers a new crack house on the block that is harboring a female junkie. Dawson and Brett get assigned a new trainee for the shift. Meanwhile, Severide gets an unexpected visit from his father and Herrmann deals with family issues when his son gets into trouble at school.

A dangerous warehouse fire puts truck and squad at risk. Tensions are high for Dawson and Casey when Dawson's father overstays his welcome at their home. Meanwhile, Casey continues to fight for his first responders bill, Mouch makes a serious decision regarding his future and Herrmann goes to tremendous lengths to make a young boy smile.