One Chicago Podcast – Brandon Larracuente (Sal Vasquez on Chicago Fire)

Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Brian Luce
Guest: Brandon Larracuente (Sal Vasquez on Chicago Fire)
Special Guests: Writers Alec Wells and Victor Taran

Episode Overview

This episode of the One Chicago Podcast features an in-depth and lively conversation with Brandon Larracuente, the actor behind Sal Vasquez, the newest member of Chicago Fire's Firehouse 51. Host and producer Brian Luce, himself a former Chicago cop, guides listeners through Brandon's journey joining the series, the challenges of portraying a firefighter with a loaded family history, and the emotional punch of a recent key episode inspired by true events from the show's writers.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Brandon’s Journey to Chicago Fire

• Transition from Policing to Firefighting (in TV)

  • Brandon previously played rookie cop Alex Diaz on On Call, another Wolf Entertainment series.
  • Both he and Brian reminisced about their previous work together, noting the intensity and camaraderie built during short but immersive training for On Call.
  • Brandon reveals that he was in a career lull, working with his wife on their own projects, when Wolf Films reached out, eventually leading to his casting on Chicago Fire.
  • Quote (Brandon, 07:56): “I was in a lull between jobs and I really had nothing upcoming for me. So, one, to work with the same people again who are such, you know, joys to work with, but also to explore a new city that I've never been to before. It was. It was a win-win for me.”

• On Being the New Kid in an Iconic Show

  • Brandon discusses the challenge and honor of joining a long-running, tight-knit cast and crew, describing it as "jumping onto a moving train.”
  • He shares how cast members reached out before filming began, helping ease the transition for him and his wife.

The Character: Sal Vasquez

• Background and Depth

  • Sal comes from a family with a complicated law enforcement history – his father, a former cop, is now incarcerated for falsifying evidence, and this backstory influences Sal’s approach to authority and teamwork.
  • Sal’s tendency to challenge orders and act with conviction is partly due to his personal baggage, not lack of skill.
  • Quote (Brandon, 13:09): “People might misconstrue his confidence for cockiness... but he just knows his shit, man. You know, he knows the job really, really well.”

• Personal Storyline Highlights

  • Sal's father is attempting to get parole, drawing Sal into a struggle between loyalty and truth.
  • Sal is single and lives in a stylish West Loop loft, which was recently filmed for the show.

Behind the Scenes: Filming and Firehouse Camaraderie

• Initiation Rites

  • The tight-knit crew is known for their good-natured ball-busting, which Brandon embraced as soon as he felt comfortable.
  • He highlights David Eigenberg (Hermann) as being especially welcoming (and merciless in his on-set teasing).

• The Emotional “Herman House Fire” Episode

  • A deep dive into season 14, episode 4—a pivotal, emotionally charged episode where Herman’s house burns while his teammates struggle to pull him to safety.
  • Brandon describes the scene’s tension: stepping up to physically pull Hermann out as debris falls, with Eigenberg refusing to “help,” making it realistic and raw.
  • Quote (Brandon, 17:50): “David actually didn't help me at all, man, that day... He’s like, ‘you gotta earn it.’”
  • The episode was inspired by real-life events: writer Victor Taran lost his home in the LA fires; the honesty and pain from his experience informed the script.

The Reality Behind the Drama: Real-Life Inspiration

• Writer Perspective
  • Alec Wells and Victor Taran provide behind-the-scenes context for the “Herman House Fire” episode.
  • Victor Taran describes the emotional reality of returning to a lost home, and Alec stresses the focus on the authenticity of grief, not just lessons learned.
  • Quote (Alec, 39:58): “Herman doesn’t need to learn a lesson. This isn’t about learning a lesson. This is about the tragedy of what he went through and sitting in that. And the real person who has something to learn is Mouch. And what Mouch learns is it’s not just stuff.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Tickled pink. Nobody uses that expression.”
  – Brandon Larracuente (03:18)

• “They joked with me, said I went to the dark side, but it’s all love, man. They’re really happy for the opportunity.”
  – Brandon on his retired NYPD parents’ reaction to acting as a firefighter (05:03)

• “You know, what Wolf and them have created is something special and how they conduct themselves... they would ask me to join something else that's been going on for years.”
  – Brandon (10:28)

• “He knows who he is, man. And he knows who he's not... he knows his shit, man.”
  – Brandon describing Sal Vasquez (12:05, 13:09)

• “Herman, we gotta go... debris is falling, and I'm seeing the roof is about to cave in on top of him. So I grab him by the collar and pull him out.”
  – Brandon recounting the tense fire rescue scene (16:50)

• “When you write from a place of truth, it's almost in a way, like, therapeutic, because you're getting your pain and all your past experiences out there on paper.”
  – Brandon reflecting on the writers’ true-life inspiration (18:52)

• “My first day on [the firetruck], I accidentally did this... I see the little lever right here, and I pulled it. I had to. And it scared the crap out of everybody on set.”
  – Brandon on filming stunts and driving the firetruck (27:12)

• “Rick LeFever Jr. is actually my stunt guy.”
  – Brandon on the show’s family-like stunt team (29:32)

• “You didn't sleep?” “You still get the jitters?” “I hope, I pray that they never go away.”
  – Brian and Brandon, discussing stage nerves after years on set (32:21–33:13)

• “Elliot Stabler. Because he reminds me a lot of my father in real life. Just balls to the wall, no bullshit, tough.”
  – Brandon, asked which Wolf show character he’d love on Chicago Fire (33:40)

• “I feel like if the nerves go away, you really stop caring, you know? So I hope, I pray that they never go away.”
  – Brandon (33:13)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Brandon’s Wolf Entertainment Journey & On Call Stories — 03:03–08:00
• Landing the Sal Vasquez Role & Developing the Character — 08:12–15:30
• Breaking Down the Herman House Fire Episode — 16:23–21:07
• Real-Life Inspiration: Writers Alec Wells & Victor Taran — 37:39–41:26
• Behind the Scenes: Stunts, Camaraderie & Jitters — 24:10–33:21
• Lightning Round: Fun, Favorites, and Hypotheticals — 33:30–36:11

Flow and Takeaways

• Brandon Larracuente brings Sal Vasquez’ complex backstory to life, sharing the authenticity he brings from his own family and professional experience.
• The cast and writers of Chicago Fire work with real camaraderie and honesty, drawing from real events—and keeping the set both fun and rigorous.
• The "Herman House Fire" episode showcased the show’s emotional core, with scenes rooted in genuine grief and hope, both for the characters and audience alike.
• The behind-the-scenes teamwork, trust, and emotional authenticity make Chicago Fire and the broader One Chicago universe a standout in serial storytelling.

For the Fans

Even for those who haven’t watched the episode, this podcast gives an engrossing look into what makes Chicago Fire tick: complex characters, authentic drama, real-life inspiration, and heartfelt collaboration, all seen through the welcoming and witty lens of its new star and dedicated creative team.