fire stops

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A fire stop can be constructed by adding blocking between the studs. This can be done part way up the wall, and especially in a balloon frame, just below where the second story or roof joists attach to the wall. Brick installed the way you describe, would not be effective to prevent firespread between floors. So, it appears you could improve fire-stop performance, and still remove that brick. If protecting the sill plate seems to be an issue, you could simply clad it with strips of fire-rated drywall.

I assume you are addressing wiring while you have the wall open? Be sure to seal any penetrations between floors.