Emergency Operations, like Support Services, is one of the largest divisions of the Santa Ana Fire Department. The Division operates under the direction of Deputy Fire Chief Steve Critchfield, three Battalion Chiefs, and a staff Fire Captain, with 205 suppression personnel operating out of ten strategically located fire stations throughout the City.

The Emergency Operations Division handles all fire, medical aid, and hazardous material (haz-mat) incidents. The Division is deployed through ten fire engine companies, three truck companies, a cross-staffed Haz-Mat uni with Engine 9t, six ALS Paramedic Ambulances, and a Battalion Chief. Within the Emergency Operations Division are fire personnel with specialized training to deploy an urban swift water rescue team, an operational heavy urban search and rescue (US&R) team, firefighter/paramedics assigned to the police department's SWAT unit, and a firefighter reserve program.

Furthermore, the Emergency Operations Division assists the Investigation Section of the Fire Department with one full-time Fire Captain and three shift investigators. The Emergency Operations Division responds to over 18,000 calls for service a year, with a 90% arrival time within five minutes.