Brandon Larracuente Reveals How the Chicago Fire Cast Welcomed Him Like Family
For actor Brandon Larracuente, stepping into the high-pressure world of Chicago Fire could have been daunting. After all, Firehouse 51 has been the emotional heart of the One Chicago universe for over a decade — a family forged in loyalty, courage, and countless on-screen infernos. But as Larracuente reveals, joining that family wasn’t just written into the script — it was real.
Stepping Into Firehouse 51’s Legacy
Larracuente, who debuted this season as Sal Vasquez, the newest firefighter on Truck 81, describes his first days on set as “overwhelming in the best possible way.”
“You walk onto that set, and you feel the weight of history,” he says. “The relationships, the chemistry — these actors have literally grown up together. You’re the new kid joining a firehouse that’s been through marriages, deaths, everything. It’s intimidating.”
But from day one, the cast made sure he didn’t feel like an outsider. Larracuente says stars like Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide), Miranda Rae Mayo (Stella Kidd), and Christian Stolte (Mouch) immediately treated him like family. “They didn’t just welcome me — they made sure I belonged,” he shares.
Behind the Scenes: Real Mentorship and Support
Mirroring the mentorship dynamics of the show, Larracuente says the cast’s veteran members went out of their way to help him adjust — both professionally and personally.
He credits Miranda Rae Mayo, who leads Truck 81 as Lieutenant Kidd, for being “incredible” on and off set. “She knew my character was supposed to butt heads with hers,” he explains, “but off-camera, she was the first to offer advice, to walk me through stunts, and to make sure I felt confident.”
Veteran cast members Christian Stolte and David Eigenberg (Christopher Herrmann) also stepped in as the real-life heart of the firehouse. “They’re the glue,” Larracuente says. “They were cracking jokes, giving advice, and reminding me to relax. It’s that kind of warmth that makes this set so special.”
That genuine sense of teamwork, he believes, is what allows the emotional realism of Chicago Fire to shine through. “You can’t fake brotherhood — and on this set, it’s real,” he says.
Vasquez: The Wild Card of Season 14
On-screen, though, it’s a different story. Sal Vasquez’s arrival has been anything but smooth. The mysterious new recruit is already clashing with Stella Kidd’s command style and testing the limits of Firehouse 51’s discipline.
Larracuente acknowledges that Vasquez’s character was designed to stir the pot. “He’s a wildcard,” the actor explains. “He’s talented but impulsive, and that makes him dangerous in a high-stakes environment. He’s here to challenge Kidd and push everyone out of their comfort zone — and that’s what makes the show exciting.”
The friction is intensified by Vasquez’s dark backstory and hints of personal trauma — layers that Larracuente says will slowly unravel as the season unfolds.
Balancing On-Screen Chaos With Off-Screen Camaraderie
Despite his character’s rebellious streak, Larracuente insists that the safety and trust between cast members allow them to fully embrace the intensity of the show’s firefighting scenes. “We throw ourselves into chaos — literally,” he laughs. “There are explosions, real flames, and emotionally charged moments. But off-screen, the support system is so strong that you always feel safe pushing the boundaries.”
That trust, he says, is the magic ingredient behind Chicago Fire’s longevity. “This cast doesn’t just act like a family — they are one,” he reflects. “And when they bring in new people, they make sure you feel that too.”
Carrying the Torch Forward
As Season 14 unfolds, Vasquez’s presence is already shaking up Firehouse 51 in ways that promise fresh storylines and emotional depth. But for Larracuente, joining Chicago Fire means more than just playing a character — it means becoming part of a living legacy.
“Firehouse 51 isn’t just a fictional crew,” he says. “It’s a family that’s been built over years of storytelling and mutual respect. The fact that they’ve welcomed me into that — on-screen and off — is something I’ll never take for granted.”