Chicago Fire season 8, episode 17 synopsis and promo: Protect a Child

What’s happening in this week’s Chicago Fire episode? Get an early look at Protect a Child with the Chicago Fire season 8, episode 17 synopsis and teaser.

The next episode of Chicago Fire could have severe consequences for one member of Firehouse 51 as a rescue goes awry.

From the looks of the synopsis and promo that NBC has released, Wednesday’s installment “Protect a Child” will have Squad 3, Truck 81, Engine 51, and Ambulance 61 come together to assist in a warehouse accident. Apparently a worker is trapped underneath some shelving, and they are in pretty bad shape.

The promotional trailer shows Captain Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) and Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) calling out instructions to their teams, but just as the rescue get underway, Lieutenant Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) informs them that their victim has lost consciousness.

What happens next though could be fatal, as across the screen reads: “One mistake could be deadly.” The scene that precedes the text shows shelves full of heavy boxes tumbling downward towards not only the victim, but the firefighters as well.

If you’re paying very close attention, you may be able to suss out that the promo lingers for a second on Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso), who is obviously running towards the chaos to offer assistance. While Chicago Fire doesn’t show the end result, you begin to hear Severide call out “Cru–” before it cuts off.

Now, he could technically be saying the word “crews” or “cruise;” but it’s more than likely “Cruz,” as he often calls his team members by their last names. It could also be nothing to worry about, as Chicago Fire would seem unlikely to kill off another beloved character.

How could they? Fans are are still grappling with the death of Brian “Otis” Zvonecek (Yuri Sardarov) from the season 8 premiere. Interestingly enough, Otis was briefly mentioned in last week’s “The Tendency of a Drowning Victim” when his girlfriend Lily (guest star Ariane Rinehart) came back to Chicago to see her 51 family.

So, if something detrimental were to happen during this save, who would be the victim? And regardless, would it be a career-ending injury, or an intense on the job mishap, like Kelly’s shoulder all the way back in Chicago Fire season 1?

Here’s how NBC officially describes the episode:

"Things get personal for Casey and Gallo in the aftermath of a suburban house fire involving a mother and her young son; Herrmann campaigns for more respect; Kidd has an idea for giving back to her community."

And here’s the promo that’s been airing in advance of the episode:

For the latest Chicago Fire season 8 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Fire category at One Chicago Center.