Who must the employee ask for permission to be granted a leave of absence without pay for up to fourteen consecutive calendar days?

The correct response is that the employee must ask for permission from the Fire Chief to be granted a leave of absence without pay for up to fourteen consecutive calendar days. This process aligns with established protocols within the organization, which is designed to ensure that all leave requests are managed at a high level of supervision and accountability.

Typically, the Fire Chief has the authority to make decisions regarding employee leave that could impact staffing and department operations. Such a procedure reflects the importance of maintaining operational readiness, as well as the need for oversight when it comes to personnel management and financial considerations associated with unpaid leave.

While the Captain, Supervisor, and District Chief might play roles in the daily management and immediate oversight of personnel, their authority is generally limited to shorter-term leave requests or day-to-day operational needs. Therefore, for extended leave, especially without pay, the Fire Chief’s approval is necessary to ensure compliance with department policies and to make informed decisions based on the broader operational context.