The Mission Fire Department has added new utility task vehicles to its fleet to reach areas where standard emergency vehicles cannot go.

The UTVs will help with search and rescue operations, EMS calls and brush fires. They will also improve response times for first responders.

"A lot of times we would not have the resources if we didn't have this to get to an area, especially in the bike trails, where it can be really rugged areas, very difficult to reach the person getting rescued," Mission Fire Chief Michael Silva said. "This would help us get there a lot faster."

The vehicles come equipped with water tanks and hoses to fight brush fires.

The department bought the UTVs with a $239,000 grant from the Border Zone Fire Department Grant Program. Two more vehicles are expected to arrive next month.