The Monterey County Fire Investigators Association is a section of the Monterey County Fire Chiefs Association open to any individual member of any organized federal, state, county, municipal, or district fire protection agency, law enforcement agency, or any agency whose primary duties include the investigation of fires or explosions, or any agency whose primary duties include the prosecution or investigation of criminal acts. The purposes of the Association include:

• To bring together fire and law enforcement agencies in a joint endeavor to properly develop a thorough investigation.
• To reduce the incidence of accidental and / or arson fires.
• To establish a formal framework for the orderly and mutually agreed exchange of information, technical expertise, and equipment available from member agencies.
• To pursue procurement of specialized investigative tools.
• To provide joint specialized training in fire cause and origin investigation techniques, advanced fire and arson investigation techniques, and specialized training in related fields.
• To further develop the capabilities of fire and law enforcement agencies to recognize, and follow to their conclusion, acts of arson, bombing, terrorism-related activities, and other incendiary acts.
• To develop liaisons with all other agencies involved in fire investigation and arson prosecution.

Within the Monterey County Fire Investigators Association is a subsidiary organization titled the "Monterey County Fire and Arson Task Force." Known as the "Task Force," this organization is coordinated by a Director who is appointed by the President. The duties of the Director include, but are not limited to, maintaining a list of qualified fire investigators, ensuring equal assignments for Task Force members, and maintaining records of call-outs.

Members of the "Task Force" meet specific educational and experience requirements prior to being placed on a rotational Fire Investigator Call-Out List. Call-Out Investigators are available to any fire service agency in Monterey to assist with the investigation of fires or explosions either as an individual Investigator, or as part of a task force of Investigators. Over the years, many fire service agencies in Monterey County have utilized the services of the Monterey County Fire and Arson Task Force.