SAN DIEGO -- Officials gathered in Rancho Bernardo Wednesday to mark the two-year anniversary of the Witch fire, which destroyed 366 homes in Rancho Bernardo. Since then, 188 homes have been rebuilt, and the city of San Diego has made a number of changes to better prepare them for the next wildfire.

"Today we pause to mark the second anniversary of that terrible event and to remember the incredible bravery of our firefighters and police officers and other emergency responders," Mayor Jerry Sanders said. "We all know the day will come once again that we confront the specter of another wildfire bearing down on San Diego. But, today as we pause to remember those dark days, I can report with confidence that we are better prepared than ever to confront that challenge."

Rancho Bernardo resident Jeff Smith evacuated as the Witch fire's flames closed in on his family's home. Smith said his family never received a reverse 911 call, and he later learned they had to register for it.

"I can only hope it's in place for when it happens again ... and it will happen again," said Smith.

Sanders said lessons learned have led to big changes.

"Well, we're much better prepared. You just never know how bad the fire is going to be, how fast the winds are blowing," said Sanders.

Sanders was joined at the Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center by Javier Mainar, the newly appointed chief of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, who coordinated the fight against the 2007 wildfires for the city.

Mainar concurred that the SDFRD has taken to heart lessons learned from the wildfires two years ago and is now better equipped to deal with a similar disaster.

"While I am proud of the job the men and women of our Fire-Rescue Department did that day, or those days I should say, I am here to tell you we are better prepared, as the mayor suggested, than we have ever been," Mainar said.

In the event of a major fire, San Diego for the first time will have roving firefighters armed with 13 new "fast kits" equipped with various tools needed to enter homes, secure utilities and rescue residents if needed. The city also has 600 feet of fire hose that can attach to a hydrant or to the hose bib in a homeowner's yard.

"These kits are going to be a fabulous asset," said firefighter Andrea Gaxiola.

In the 2007 fires, Gaxiola drove around Rancho Bernardo with another firefighter in a van providing logistical support. They delivered water and Gatorade to crews fighting the fire.

"I can't tell you how many situations when I wished I had hose that I can hook up to take care of little spot fires here and there," said Gaxiola.

Sanders also announced the addition of 14 new fire engines and a new foam trailer that can carry 540 gallons which will enable firefighters to refill 13 engines instead of each one having to drive back to a station.

A few weeks ago, the city of San Diego also agreed to pay for part of the cost to operate the "Incredible Hulk," a large capacity firefighting helicopter owned by San Diego Gas & Electric.

"We really don't know how prepared we're going to be until the next one comes around," said Smith.

The Witch Creek fire began in the early morning hours on Oct. 21, 2007, near Santa Ysabel and later merged with the Guejito Fire. Fanned by Santa Ana winds, the fires scorched nearly 200,000 acres, destroyed 1,100 homes, injured 40 firefighters and killed a couple who were overtaken by flames at their home.