Duties
The Emergency Operations Division is charged with the responsibility of providing fast and efficient emergency response to fires, hazardous conditions, rescues, illnesses, or any other conditions where the health, safety, and welfare of the public is in jeopardy. 
One measurement of the capabilities of the Operations Division, has been the grade assigned to the City by the Insurance Service Organization (I.S.O.). This grading also considers the water system, communications, staffing, training, and facilities. Used by the insurance industry to determine fire insurance rates for homeowners and businesses within the community, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the most desirable, Monterey Park has achieved a Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating of a Class 1.
Daily Operations
Command and control of Emergency Operations is provided on a daily basis by three shift division chiefs on a platoon schedule. Based on the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Budget, personnel responded to an average of:

- 4,300 calls per year
- Of total calls, 3,100 are emergency medical calls
- Average response time for Fire calls is 5:01 minutes
- Average response time for EMS calls, 4:37 minutes
In addition to daily emergency operations, the division chiefs and sworn personnel perform several different assignments. These duties include:
- Emergency Medical Services Program Director, EMS Coordinator
- Personnel administration, Secession Planning, and Recruitment
- Training Director, Coordinator, and certified Training Instructors
- Disaster Preparedness Coordinator, Emergency Operations Center Coordinator
- Public Information Officer, Safety officer
- Fleet maintenance
- Public Education Program Coordinator, Firefighter Reserves and Fire Explorer Program Coordinators