For more than a decade, Chicago Fire has been a cornerstone of NBC’s primetime lineup, building a loyal audience through its blend of high-stakes rescues, emotional storytelling, and perfectly balanced humor. The many beloved men and women who have come and gone over the years have each helped to make Firehouse 51 into one of the most special firehouses not just in Chicago but on all of TV.

Since premiering in 2012, Chicago Fire has weathered the ever-changing television landscape, including historic writers’ and actors’ strikes; expanded into one of television’s most successful television universes; and continued to prove its staying power season after season by remaining one of the most-watched programs on NBC.

Through the years, Chicago Fire has achieved many feats that are growing more and more rare for television shows these days. When Chicago Fire returns to NBC’s lineup this fall for its season 15 premiere, the series won’t just mark yet another television milestone when it crosses the 300-episode mark; it will secure a place in television history.

Chicago Fire will become the longest-running firefighter drama with season 15

When Chicago Fire premieres its 15th season this fall on NBC, it will make TV history as the longest-running live-action firefighter drama by total seasons, surpassing the UK series London’s Burning to cement its place in the record books.

London’s Burning was a British drama that, like Chicago Fire, centered around the professional and personal lives of a group of firefighters, with the show set against the backdrop of the Blackwall Fire Station in London, England. The series ran for 14 seasons from 1988 to 2002 and has held the record of being the longest-running firefighter drama for over 24 years.

Chicago Fire will become the first firefighter drama to reach 15 seasons, which is a testament to the incredible team behind the show. To make it 15 seasons is no easy feat in the current TV landscape, and it’s incredibly rare that a show is able to make television history in the way that Chicago Fire has.

What’s amazing is that Chicago Fire doesn’t show any signs of slowing down and could very well run for several more years. Wolf Entertainment series have a tendency to have unmatched longevity, so there is no doubt that Chicago Fire could easily go beyond 20 seasons.

Looking ahead to season 15, the season will not only see Chicago Fire becoming the longest-running firefighter drama, but fans will also get to see the show passing another major milestone.

Chicago Fire season 15 will feature the 300th episode of the show

In addition to landing Chicago Fire a place in the record books as the show passes London’s Burning to become the longest-running firefighter drama, season 15 will also feature the show’s 300th episode! It’s a milestone that will come early in the season as the show has already produced 295 episodes, which is quite a feat.

The 300th episode of Chicago Fire will air as the fifth episode of the season, which will likely air on November 4, barring any breaks in the season’s early episodes.

Considering it’s a major milestone in the show’s run, we could very well see the writers celebrate the moment by bringing back a familiar face or two from the show’s past. It’s quite common for shows to celebrate milestone episodes with help from surprise guests, callbacks to the show’s past seasons, and big moments, and that has certainly been the case for Chicago Fire. 

The 100th episode of the show featured the long-awaited wedding of Matt Casey and Gabby Dawson, while the 200th episode served as Jesse Spencer’s final episode with Casey leaving town by the episode’s end. Given that Casey played a major role in both the 100th and the 200th episodes of the show, we’re hoping that Spencer might return for a guest spot in the 300th episode, as it would only be fitting for Casey to play a role in the show’s latest milestone episode!

We’ll find out what the writers have in store for us this season when Chicago Fire season 15 premieres on Wednesday, October 7, at 9/8c on NBC.