Chicago Fire: Boden proves you can teach an old dog new tricks

By Alexandria Ingham | Jan 16, 2020

CHICAGO FIRE -- "Where We End Up" Episode 811 -- Pictured: Eamonn Walker as Wallace Boden -- (Photo by: Adrian Burrows/NBC) /

Boden has always cared about the men and women of Firehouse 51, and all firefighters in general. Chicago Fire showed old dogs can be taught new tricks.

If there has been one consistent thing about Chicago Fire, it’s the way that Chief Boden cares. He’s always put the safety of his firefighters first, preventing them from running into danger even when they’ve been focused on saving the innocent lives in the building. In Season 8, Episode 11, we also got the reminder that old dogs can be taught new tricks.

While a lot of the focus was on Firehouse 51 and Firehouse 20 certainly not getting along, Boden was at a seminar. He didn’t really want to go, but he soon changed his mind when he heard why it was being called. It was all about the health of firefighters after their duties are over.

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One out of three firefighters will suffer from cancer, and it’s all linked to the carcinogens they breathe in during and after calls. Things need to change, and Boden is more than willing to make sure that happens within his firehouses. It means extra steps after calls, but it’s worth it for the health and future of his brave men and women.

Many others in that seminar would have likely had some sympathy but no intention of changing things. Their firefighters may have resisted the change, believing some of the stats to be scaremongering. But not Boden.

He knows the severity of the situation and wants to make sure he does everything he can to protect his firefighters. What you saw happen after the call at the end of the episode is recommended by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

In the past, we’ve seen Boden resistant to change. It’s not easy when you’re set in your ways or you’ve done something in a certain way for decades. However, as more research comes out and more understanding of the health risks of the job are revealed, everyone needs to make an effort. Boden is the first, and he knows that if he doesn’t do it, there’s no way that his men and women will either.

Boden is a man who leads by example. He’s willing to make these changes and he’s adamant that they will be seen through. You can teach an old dog new tricks, and I’m proud to see one of my favorite first responder shows to keep this consistency in Boden’s character.

I also love that it was balanced well with the bed bug storyline. Anyone who has had bed bugs knows how annoying they are to get rid of but how easy they are to get! But it was a great way to break up some of the intensity and harrowing feelings from Boden’s storyline.

Chicago Fire's heartfelt episode through Mouch's storyline. dark. Next

What did you think of Boden’s attitude in Chicago Fire Season 8, Episode 11? Did it surprise you that he was more than willing to make immediate changes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.