If this, Season 12, isn't the final season of Chicago Fire then next season (13) will be when the network orders a shortened schedule of episodes to wrap up the series. I have never seen any show go from so great to so-so at best in so short a time. The writer's strike that marred the entertainment industry for.nearly half of 2023 seems to have played a big part in the show's decline but not the only part. The show runners in recent years have shuffled the cast much too often. I kind of see the use of a big departure like Casey's but then a great new character like Mason comes on board only to be shown the door unceremoniously after a short arc. Now they get rid of Brett and Gallo almost simultaneously and a solid new character, Gibson. Is already in the wind, that;s just bad for business. I am very surprised the episode ratings have remained around 8.0 because I cannot see how this show can continue to go.