Everyone is still affected by Phil's death - especially Jack, who keeps blaming himself. Bernie is intent on finding the serial arsonist who is indirectly responsible for Phil's death but the cops - led by Detective Cerone - offer little help. Meanwhile, after trying to be supportive of Jack, Laura has had enough and leaves him. Firefighter Mike Durning joins Fire Co. 132 as Phil's replacement. Not exactly in an easy situation, Mikes ""life-goes-on-comments"" to a grieving Jack doesn't improve the situation and the two are off to a rocky start. But already on his first day, Mike proves himself by saving a man from a burning house and then saves him from suffocation with a bronchial tube cut. But in doing so, he disobeys Jack's orders; thus the rift between them continues. Jack tries to take care of Phil's widow Helen and her two kids. Ray is looked up by public defender Michelle Goldstein, who tells him that his younger brother Bobby is in jail on a drug charge. Ray is sick and tired of