The Operations Division is comprised of emergency response personnel and equipment. The daily emergency response staffing for the entire fire district is 18 personnel. This staffing includes one Battalion Chief, four 3-Person Engine Companies, one 3-Person Truck Company and four Paramedic Ambulances.

The District is an “All-Risk” agency, providing a full range of emergency responses services including but not limited to: structural fire suppression, wildland fire suppression, response to hazardous materials incidents, Urban Search and Rescue, water rescue, vehicle disentanglement, mine-tunnel rescue, technical and trench rescue, incident management, and basic and advanced life support emergency medical services.  All properties within the municipal boundaries or the City of Orinda and the Town of Moraga have a rating of “3”.   A rating of “9” is given for the rural areas of Bollinger Canyon and the community of Canyon.

All Moraga-Orinda Fire District emergency response personnel are either Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) or Paramedics. EMT's provide Basic Life Support (BLS). EMT’s interpret signs and symptoms of injury and disease, and determine the appropriate course of treatment. EMT’s are trained to provide Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, administer oxygen, control bleeding, perform spinal immobilization, splint fractures, as well as any rescue functions needed to free a trapped victim. Paramedics provide Advance Life Support (ALS). A Paramedic is an advanced level of EMT certification. Paramedics must complete an extensive training program to enable them to perform specialized skills and procedures. These skills include advanced airway management, intubations, intravenous therapy, pharmacology and drug administration, cardiac monitoring and defibrillation.

The Truck and Engine companies are staffed with at least one Paramedic, and therefore have the ability to immediately administer ALS pre-hospital emergency medical care upon their arrival. The two ambulances are staffed with two paramedics each and respond along with an engine company to all medical emergencies.

When a medical emergency is reported, the closest engine company is dispatched in conjunction with one of the three District ambulances. The intent is to get the closest available resource to the patient as soon as possible so the appropriate medical treatment can be given. The District strives to provide Advanced Life Support care within 6 minutes of notification, 90% of the time. In addition to our ambulances, the District utilizes the services of private air ambulances (helicopters) to transport severely injured or burned patients to the appropriate Bay-Area hospital.

The Operations Division often provides non-emergency customer service when there is no other public agency or private firm willing or available to assist. The Operations Division also assists the Fire Loss Management Division with public education and information programs designed to prepare the citizens of the District for disasters and other emergency incidents. The Operations Division also conducts routine fire inspections on apartment buildings in the District.