Though the ratings for Chicago Fire haven’t been impressive, they’re apparently strong enough for the peacock network to give the drama a full season pickup of 22 episodes.

The news comes on the heels of this week’s installment seeing a 38% boost in the coveted 18-49 demographic. This will help the show’s season average but was likely a fluke, fueled by having The Voice as a lead-in. Unless NBC, pairs the two permanently, you can expect the numbers to go back down next week. UNless the numbers go up, Chicago Fire is still in danger of being cancelled in May.

Here’s the NBC press release:

NBC HEATS UP “CHICAGO FIRE” DRAMA SERIES WITH PICKUP COMMITMENT FOR REMAINDER OF 2012-13 SEASON

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – November 8, 2012 – NBC has picked up its new freshman drama “Chicago Fire” with a production commitment for the remainder of the 2012-13 season, it was announced today by Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment.

“We all love this thrilling new drama with its sexy breakout cast. We are excited to see it gaining traction on our schedule,” said Salke. “Executive producer Dick Wolf and all the producers have done an amazing job developing a high-stakes series with lots of great heroic characters whose exploits are depicted in Dick’s typically epic storytelling style. We are incredibly invested in this one and can’t wait to hear about their plans for the rest of the season.”

“Chicago Fire” is averaging a 2.4 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 8.0 million viewers overall in “most current” averages from Nielsen Media Research through the season’s first six weeks. In “live plus same day” results for the current week, “Chicago Fire” generated new series highs in adults 18-49 and total viewers, making it the first new drama on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox this season to top its premiere results with any subsequent telecast.

From renowned, Emmy Award-winning executive producer Dick Wolf (“Law & Order” brand) and creators Derek Haas and Michael Brandt, the writing team behind “3:10 to Yuma,” comes the high-octane drama “Chicago Fire” — an edge-of-your-seat view into the lives of everyday heroes committed to one of America’s noblest professions. For the firefighters, rescue squad and paramedics of Chicago Firehouse 51, no occupation is more stressful or dangerous, yet so rewarding and exhilarating. These courageous men and women are among the elite who forge headfirst into danger when everyone else is running the other way.

The pressure to perform on such a high level has a way of taking a personal toll, sometimes putting team members from the Truck and the specially-trained Rescue Squad at odds with each other. Lt. Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer, “House”), in charge of the Truck, butts heads with the brash Lt. Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney, “The Vampire Diaries”) of the Rescue Squad.

The firehouse also includes: Battalion Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker, “Oz”); paramedics Gabriela Dawson (Monica Raymund, “The Good Wife”) and Leslie Shay (Lauren German, “Hawaii Five-O”); Peter Mills (Charlie Barnett, “Law & Order: SVU”), an academy graduate who is the latest generation in a family of firefighters; and Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg, “Sex and the City”), a seasoned veteran who must uproot his family to move in with his in-laws.

In addition to Wolf, Haas and Brandt, executive producers also include Matt Olmstead (“Breakout Kings”), Joe Chappelle (“The Wire”), Danielle Gelber and Peter Jankowski (“Law & Order” brand). “Chicago Fire” is produced by Universal Television and Wolf Films.

What do you think? Are you glad to hear that there are a lot more episodes of Chicago Fire to come? Do you think the series will end up getting renewed for a second season or will it be cancelled instead?