Firefighters will have a little extra help when fighting brush fires in hard-to-reach rural areas.

Four new quick-attack vehicles were added to the San Diego County Fire dispatch on Tuesday. The vehicles will assist Cal Fire operations during brush fires.

The vehicles, known as “patrols” can hold up to 200 gallons of water and 10 gallons of gel or foam. They can also be used for medical aid calls, traffic collisions and structure fires.

"They are simple to operate, very quick and maneuverable and allow our reserves to get to the scene quickly. They are also used for mop-up, allowing fully staffed engines to be put back in service quickly," said Chief Tony Mecham of Cal Fire San Diego Unit and County Fire.

Each patrol vehicle costs approximately $260,000.

Firefighters are required to take additional training before operating them.

The vehicles are assigned to Jacumba, Palomar Mountain, Del Luz and Shelter Valley.

After each mass shooting in the U.S., calls for stricter gun control grow louder but responses from the National Rifle Association are minimal or non-existent, NBC News reported. 

On Tuesday, Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, broke the NRA's silence two days after a rampage at a gay Orlando club where 49 were killed and dozens wounded. In an op-ed for USA Today, Cox blamed the Obama administration's "political correctness" for failing to prevent the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. 

The FBI looked into gunman Omar Mateen in 2013 after he claimed a family connection to al Qaeda, said FBI Director James Comey Monday. The bureau closed the 10-month investigation after Mateen explained that he made the comments out of anger because he thought his co-workers were discriminating against him. 

Cox said gun control "will do nothing to prevent the next attack." The only solution, he wrote, is to address terrorism head on.

An Orlando TV station says the man who shot and killed 49 people inside a popular nightclub contacted them moments after opening fire early Sunday morning.

News 13's Matthew Gentili said he was staffing the station's phones as the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history unfolded a few blocks away at Pulse.  

"I was receiving phone calls from viewers saying, 'What's going on? What's happening? What's happening in Orlando?" Gentili recalled Tuesday.

At about 2:45 a.m., Gentili said he received a call from a man asking whether he had heard of the shooting. As the TV producer began to respond, the person on the other end of the phone interrupted Gentili.

"I'm the shooter. It's me. I am the shooter," the caller said.

Gentili said the man told him he "did it for ISIS" and then started speaking in Arabic before eventually hanging up the phone. NBC News has not independently confirmed News 13's report. 

The station's managing editor, according News 13, confirmed the caller's phone number matched that of the gunman, identified as Omar Mateen.

Gentili was interviewed by the FBI, who would not confirm if it was indeed Mateen who he had spoken to.

When the weather heats up, San Diego County has arranged for places where residents can keep cool.

The county's official list of "Cool Zones" for 2016 include libraries, senior centers and museums as well as recreational centers.

These places help older adults and others keep cool while saving the added cost of air conditioning when temperatures are unusually high.

While the cool zones are open only during regular business hours there are several that have weekend hours.

Click here for the county's most recent list.

If you cannot get to a Cool Zone, county officials suggest you stay indoors as much as possible. If you cannot use air conditioning, stay on the lowest floor with shades down and blinds closed. Windows should stay slightly open.

Wear light, loose clothing and drink more fluids than usual even if you do not feel thirsty.

For more information call the county at (800) 510-2020.

With Orlando in mourning after the massacre at the Pulse nightclub, many groups are organizing ways to help. Forty-nine people died and dozens were injured when 29-year-old Omar Mateen opened fire in the gay club early Sunday morning. From giving blood to donating money, here are some ways to assist the victims, their families and the city -- plus links to counseling and other services.

OneOrlando Fund: The city created the fund to support nonprofits helping the victims and their families; assist the Hispanic and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, and others affected by the tragedy; and to address its causes, Mayor Buddy Dyer announced. 

Equality Florida: The state's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights group has created a GoFundMe campaign for the victims. More than $4 million had been raised as of Wednesday toward a goal of $5 million. GoFundMe contributed $100,000 toward the campaign. The money will be distributed with the help of the city of Orlando, local groups and the National Center for Victims of Crime, Equality Florida says on the page. On its website, it offers links to counseling services, legal help and other assistance.

OneBlood: After a tremendous response by blood donors, the blood center is urging other people who want to donate to make an appointment. Call 1-888-9-Donate or visit OneBlood.  

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Central Florida: It also has created a GoFundMe account, which has raised more than $350,000 toward a goal of $500,000. It is looking for volunteers and is working with other LGBT organizations throughout central Florida to provide an emergency hotline and crisis counseling.

Muslims United For Victims of the Pulse Shooting: The group has created a fund on LaunchGood for the immediate, short-term needs of the families. "We wish to respond to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action," the group says on the website. The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations will give the money raised to the OneOrlando fund.

The National Compassion Fund: Developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime, it is raising money for the immediate and long-term emotional and physical needs of the victims and their families. It says it is working with Equality Florida to combine efforts and ensure that donations are distributed fairly and transparently.

The Federal Trade Commission offers donors a list of tips to avoid scams trying to take advantage of the tragedy.

Connecticut Sen. Christopher S. Murphy launched a talking filibuster before noon Wednesday, saying he intended to give an extended speech to protest inaction on gun violence.

The Senate is debating a spending bill that funds federal law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Justice. Democrats hope to offer gun amendments to the bill, but Murphy is holding up action, saying Democrats and Republicans should "not proceed with debate on amendments to this bill until we have figured out a way to come together on, at the very least, two simple ideas.”

"I will remain on the Senate floor until we get some signal, some sign that we can come together," Murphy said as he evoked the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Dec. 14, 2012.

Murphy is seeking a vote on legislation from Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., that would let the government bar sales of guns and explosives to people it suspects of being terrorists. Feinstein offered the amendment in December — a day after an extremist couple killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California — but the Republican-run Senate rejected the proposal on a near party-line vote.

The Orlando shooter was added to a government watch list of individuals known or suspected of being involved in terrorist activities in 2013, when he was investigated for inflammatory statements to co-workers. But he was pulled from that database when that investigation was closed 10 months later.

Murphy also wants a vote to expand background checks.

Joining him on the Senate floor is fellow Conn. Democrat, Sen. Richard Blumenthal. The two senators, galvanized by the 2012 shooting that killed 20 children and six adults at an elementary school in their state, urged a ban on assault weapons and better controls on who can buy guns.

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker joined Murphy and Blumenthal, stressing the need for such gun control measures, particularly in light of Sunday's shooting in Orlando that left 49 victims dead and 53 injured.

"I've cleared my entire day...so I can stay on this floor and assist Senator Murphy," Booker said.

The former mayor of Newark said many senators who will take to the floor Wednesday in support of Murphy's filibustering effort have the word "enough" in their hearts.

"What we're seeking is not radical. What we're seeking is not something partisan. What we're seeking is common sense," Booker said in an impassioned speech.

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer chastised the Senate, calling the legislative chamber a "shameful" body in "it's obedience to the gun lobby and not doing the most reasonable things most Americans support."

In a statement Wednesday, the National Rifle Association said it did not believe terrorists should be allowed to "purchase or posses firearms." But noted that "at the same time, due process protections should be put in place that allow law-abiding Americans who are wrongly put on a watchlist to be removed."

The pro-gun lobbying group has been accused of influencing lawmakers from passing such restrictions on firearm purchases, arguing that using a terror watch list as a basis for barring sales infringes on Second Amendment rights.  

The election-year fight over gun control pits strong proponents of the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms against lawmakers arguing for greater restrictions on the ability to obtain weapons. Since the Sunday morning shooting in Orlando, Democrats have revived their push for legislation.

 The Associated Press contributed to this report.

City leaders in San Diego have approved an emergency law that bans the synthetic drug spice.

The ordinance, considered the toughest of its kind in the state of California, bans the sale, manufacture, possession and distribution of spice and related drugs. 

Spice or K2 is a chemical mixture sprayed on to a plant substance that users can then smoke or ingest to achieve a similar effect to marijuana.

It is sold under a variety of names according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

But the drug can lead to medical emergencies such as seizures, comas and hallucinations.

Since last November to March of this year, officials say there have been 650 spice cases. Of them, 120 cases have been in Downtown San Diego.

Current laws ban certain chemical combinations used in spice but manufacturers began experimenting with chemical combinations that were not covered.

San Diego County officials are searching for people who may have come into contact with a rabid bat found at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. 

The bat, found alive on Saturday, June 11 at 1:30 p.m. at the Oasis Deli in Nairobi Village, tested positive for rabies, County health officials said. The bat was not one of the park's animals. 

Trained park staff collected the bat without touching it and brought it to County offices on Monday. Officials do not believe the animals came into contact with any humans or animals.

Anyone who did not come into direct contact with the bat is not at risk for rabies. Rabies can be transmitted if a bat bites you or if its saliva comes in contact with a cut, abrasion or mucous membrane like your eyes, nose or mouth.

“Human rabies is usually fatal without prompt post-exposure vaccine and treatment,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer, in a statement. “There has been no reported human or animal contact with this bat, but it was found in an area where many park visitors pass by, and we want to make sure that no one had contact with it.”

County officials are now searching for anyone who may have directly handled the bat or come into contact with it. If you believe you came into contact with the bat, call the County as soon as possible at (619) 692-8499.

Rabies can be transmitted if a bat bites you or if its saliva comes in contact with a cut, abrasion or mucous membrane like your eyes, nose or mouth.

Anytime you find a bat –dead or alive – you should not touch it, health officials say. If you do come in contact with one, wash the affected area with soap and water and seek medical advice.

Beer, barbecue, baseball and the bay: there are plenty of places to take Pops on Father’s Day in San Diego. Although brunch is always an option, too, check out this guide of some unique Father’s Day activities that cater to Dad’s favorite pastimes.

Padres vs. Nationals
1:40 p.m., Petco Park
Take in a ball game with Pops at Petco Park, where the San Diego Padres will take on the Washington Nationals at 1:40 p.m. The Father’s Day-themed game, presented in partnership with Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns, will honor all fathers with extra bells and whistles, including a fun game day giveaway: a pair of limited edition Padres logo socks – the ultimate in Dad wear.

Hoppy Father’s Day at Stone
11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
Fittingly dubbed “Hoppy Father’s Day,” raise a pint glass to Dad at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Escondido, and treat him to his choice of more than 15 IPAs selected specifically for the special occasion. Stone’s draft list for Father’s Day includes Stone Cali-Belgique IPA aged in white wine barrels, Stone Mocha IPA, Stone RuinTen Triple IPA and Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA. Stone is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and reservations are encouraged. Of course, in craft beer-centric San Diego, there are dozens of breweries where you can treat Dad to a beer on Father’s Day. For ideas, here’s a list of breweries that are part of the San Diego Brewers Guild. 

BBQ & Beach Concert With Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band
11 a.m., Hotel Del Coronado
Treat Dad to a beachside BBQ and live music hosted by the Hotel Del Coronado as “Forrest Gump” actor and musician Gary Sinise returns to San Diego with his Lt. Dan Band for this Father’s Day shindig. The beach party starts at 11 a.m. and will include food, drinks, a skydiving show and the evening concert from the Lt. Dan Band, which benefits the Gary Sinise Foundation and its mission to support our U.S. military.

San Diego International Beer Festival
12 p.m. to 4 p.m., San Diego County Fair
Sip on sudsy samples from nearly 200 craft breweries at the San Diego International Beer Festival (SDIBF) at the San Diego County Fair. The brewery lineup includes plenty of local favorites like Alpine Beer Company, Belching Beaver Brewery, Ballast Point, Green Flash and AleSmith, to name a few. The SDIBF will also feature vendors selling brew-inspired goodies, plus educational demos – including food pairing demos (cheese and beer; pizza and beer; beer and desserts), and other activities. The session on Father’s Day is the fifth and final session of the beer fest, and a solid way to spend the afternoon with Dad.

Father’s Day Beer Brunch Cruise
9 a.m. or 2 p.m., 1900 N. Harbor Drive
Boat, bay and brews? Dad will love this Father’s Day Beer Brunch Cruise around scenic San Diego Bay, which includes unlimited brews, mimosas and great grub.

Brats and Beer on the Bay
10 a.m., Maritime Museum of San Diego
It’s basically everything Dad loves, all in one place: brats, boats and beer. Step aboard the 145’ schooner Californian for a four-hour Father’s Day cruise. Enjoy a bratwurst sandwich, chips and a cold beer as you set sail along the San Diego bay. Some guests may even get to work the lines and handle the sails. Before the ship docks at 4 p.m., snap a photo with Dad as part of the onboard activities – a keepsake of your truly memorable day at sea.

Belmont Park 3rd Annual Father’s Day Car Show
10 a.m., Belmont Park
Is your Pops a gearhead? This classic car show at Belmont Park in Mission Beach may be your best bet for Father’s Day as more than 75 vintage and restored rides are displayed at the site of the beachfront amusement park. This event is free and gives you a chance to stroll with Dad and talk cars. There are plenty of eateries near Belmont Park where you can grab a bite, too.

Brunch at THE LOT
10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., La Jolla and Liberty Station
The restaurants housed in THE LOT – the luxury movie theaters in La Jolla and Liberty Station – will hold Father’s Day brunch at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The spread will boast a cold and hot buffet including breakfast specialties and a decadent dessert station. Craft cocktails, mimosas and an extensive wine list is also available, plus locally-sourced and roasted coffees. Make reservations ahead of time online. Also, after brunch, you might want to treat dad to a movie in one of the cushy screening rooms. THE LOT at Liberty Station is playing “Now You See Me 2,” “The Conjuring 2” and “X-Men: Apocalypse,” just to name a few flicks on Sunday’s schedule.

Liberty Public Market
11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Liberty Station
Take a stroll with Dad at Liberty Public Market at Liberty Station, where you can grab a drink and a bite from a hefty lineup of eateries, including Stuffed! (burgers), Mastiff Sausage Company or Cecilia’s Taqueria. Buy your food, take it to the patio and sit with Dad outdoors while enjoying the sights. You can also do some shopping at the market: stop into Liberty Meat Market for some prime cuts or treat Dad to some seriously spicy sauces at Pacific Provisions.

SummerSalt Pool Lounge
2 p.m., SummerSalt at Hotel Palomar
Bring the entire family to this rooftop BBQ and pool party at SummerSalt, the super cool lounge at Hotel Palomar. The Father’s Day BBQ will land Dad a smorgasbord of burgers, ribs, chicken and hot dogs, plus bar specials like $4 brews, with none of the post-grilling clean-up duties. A DJ will spin tunes throughout the backyard-style celebration, too.

Who knew San Diego police had such sick dance moves?

Accepting the Miami Police Department’s “Running Man Challenge,” the San Diego Police Department offered some much-need comedic relief on YouTube on Wednesday.

The challenge, in case you haven’t seen the craze on the internet, entails a dance to the Ghost Town DJs song “My Boo” that incorporates the Running Man dance move of the 1990s.

In the roughly 8-minute clip, officers are seen at various notable San Diego locations, including the USS Midway Museum, Balboa Park, Officer Christopher Wilson Memorial Park and Mission Beach.

The officers dance with private citizens, clad in swimsuits at the beach, for instance, and also enlist the smooth moves of some Chargers players and their own police canines.

And they really know how to get down. In one shot, an officer even does the Worm dance move.

The end of the video encourages potential officers to join “America’s Finest Team.” And then Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman issues a new Running Man challenge to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

You’re next Sheriff Gore.

Check out the full clip here:

A man accused of brutally attacking two women, killing one of them, committed "everyone's worst nightmare," a deputy prosecutor said Wednesday.

Disturbing details came to light during the arraignment of a man implicated in a vicious home invasion in Del Cerro on Sunday night.

A judge set a no-bail hold for Eduardo Torres because of the seriousness of the crimes. He pleaded not guilty to four charges, including murder, forcible oral copulation, assault and torture.

Deputy District Attorney Marisa DiTillio outlined the grisly allegations against the 20-year-old San Diego man.

On Sunday night at about 11:30 p.m., Torres tried to break into a home on Mill Peak Road, but vigilant residents chased him away, DiTillio said.

That's when he smashed a glass door and broke into a different, nearby home. Two women in the home, a 74-year-old and 50-year-old, locked themselves in separate rooms, DiTillio said.

DiTillio alleges that Torres broke down the elder woman's door, held her at knifepoint, put her in a chokehold and then dragged her to the other room where the younger woman was hiding.

Then, Torres is accused of stabbing the 74-year-old to death and then raping the younger woman, DiTillio said.

When officers entered the locked bedroom the suspect dropped a knife and surrendered to police.

Police have not recovered any other weapons, including the gun the suspect claimed he had.

DiTillio credited police with saving the 50-year-old's life.

"Frankly this is everyone's worst nightmare," DiTillio said. "Asleep in your home and you think your safe. And he just came in, busted through a glass door. These women they sheltered in place for their lives. They hid behind locked doors and they thought they were safe."

With a rare unanimous budget approval vote by the San Diego City Council on Monday, Mayor Kevin Faulconer signed the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget of over $3 billion, which marks a doubling of infrastructure funding and near-tripling of road funding since he took office.

The budget, signed on Tuesday, includes recruitment and retention issues for police officers, expands recreation center hours, expands popular after-school and youth jobs programs, funds a new Pension Stabilization Reserve fund and invests in improvements for Balboa Park, according to the City of San Diego.

“With the City Council’s approval of my third budget, we’re continuing to make significant investments in San Diego’s neighborhoods and building a better future for all residents,” Mayor Faulconer said Tuesday. “And, for the second year in a row, the City Council took the rare step of unanimously approving my budget proposal with minor amendments that I will support."

With $109 million in the new budget, funding for street repairs has increased nearly threefold since Faulconer took office in 2014. Faulconer’s goal of repairing 1,000 miles of streets over five years will also be exceeded, according to the City of San Diego.

“Every community deserves to have the basic necessities to help people thrive. This budget helps to achieve that goal,” City Councilor Myrtle Cole said.

The city has set aside over $4 million for the San Diego Police Department for officer and 911 dispatcher recruitment. San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said is looking forward to this new budget.

She believes it will send a message to the SDPD employees that they will recruit and retain the very best for the city.

“What this budget does is that it once again makes us competitive to not only hire the very best police officers and 911 dispatchers but also retain them,” Zimmerman said.

The new budget will go into effect July 1 and also will help pay for the new $13 million Skyline Hills Branch Library – a 15,000 square-foot branch library that is scheduled to be completed ahead of schedule and open for neighborhood residents this fall.

A driver plows through a storefront in Serra Mesa Wednesday, according to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD).

The incident happened around 3:10 p.m. on the 3700 block of Murphy Canyon Road near Aero Drive just west of the Interstate 15.

According to SDPD, a vehicle drove through a Papa John’s Pizza storefront in the plaza.

There were no injuries.

Please check back for updates on this story.

A fifth and final suspect was arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border Wednesday in connection with a shooting that killed one person, injured a law enforcement officer and prompted Chula Vista businesses and residents to shelter in place for hours.

One person was killed and one law enforcement officer was injured when shots were fired following a meeting Tuesday afternoon between Homeland Security investigators and suspected high level drug dealers. 

The meeting in the Shops at San Miguel shopping center parking lot developed into a violent struggle and shooting, law enforcement officials said.

Officers from several agencies carried high-powered weapons as they searched vehicles outside a shuttered grocery store located on Proctor Valley Road east of State Route 125.

NBC 7 Newschopper captured other officers searching a nearby apartment complex and several businesses including a UPS shipping center. 

Four drug trafficking suspects were arrested, including Sergio Arias-Ibarra, 32, who was found hiding inside the trunk of his car, Chula Vista Police (CVPD) Captain Lon Turner said. 

The other suspects who were taken into custody were identified by Turner as: Jesus Rizo, 22; Rafael Morataya-Aguilar, 19; and Jovani Bernal-Moreno. The final arrest in the ordeal was Miguel Parra, 22, who was arrested at the border in south San Diego.

Turner said an agent with a multi-agency drug task force called Operation Alliance engaged suspects in two separate cars in front of the store. 

The officer feared for his life and fired his weapon, hitting one suspect, Turner said. The suspect was taken to a local hospital, where he died. He has not been identified. An officer was also taken to a local hospital. Turner said his injuries were not serious. 

The suspects did not shoot at the officer.

Both cars involved fled the scene. A white Toyota was found at the Sedona Condominium complex where it crashed. Just around the corner, two suspects in that car were arrested.

After the remaining suspects escaped, officials launched a manhunt. Multiple teams in full protective gear armed with assault weapons searched the area.

Police searched for the remaining suspect, Parra, who may have fled in a red Chevy Trailblazer or red Dodge. No description of Parra was released.

He was later arrested without incident.

The five suspects face multiple charges. The name of the sixth suspect who was shot and killed in the encounter with law enforcement has not yet been released.

Officers with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) are searching for two gunmen accused of spraying an apartment in City Heights with more than a dozen rounds.

According to police, the shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at a complex in the 4000 block of 51st Street. Investigators said a white SUV-style vehicle carrying two men drove up to the apartment building and one man exited the vehicle and, with a large firearm in hand, fired multiple rounds into a single apartment unit.

The bullets riddled the exterior of the apartment and the windows.

The suspect then got back into the car and the men sped off, police said.

At the time of the shooting, four people were inside the City Heights apartment. The bullets missed all four people and no one was injured, police confirmed.

The sound gunfire was extremely frightening for other residents in the complex. Many neighbors told NBC 7 they ducked for cover when they heard the shots.

“I was so scared,” said one woman.

“I was out here and [heard], ‘Bang. Bang. Bang,’” said another resident.

Neighbors said a lot of families live at the complex, which makes this incident especially concerning.

The shooting remains under investigation and police are trying to determine if it was gang-related or specifically targeted someone inside the apartment. As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, no arrests had been made. A detailed description of the suspects was not immediately available.