SAN DIEGO -- Since the firestorms of 2003 and 2007, San Diego County has spent millions of dollars to improve the way it fights wildfires and to increase the overall level of preparedness. However, 10News learned one county official said something is still missing from the county's fire plan.

The county has spent more than $180 million since 2003 to improve fire protection and emergency services throughout the county, and San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob said the county is better prepared.

"There are some bumps in the road, but we're moving and we're moving in the right direction, and that's what's important," said Jacob.

On Wednesday at the County Administration Building, the Board of Supervisors heard a detailed report about the preparedness and efforts being done in the county since the 2003 wildfires. The report said the county is better at protecting its residents' lives and their properties.

Wildlife ecologist Anne Fege, Ph.D. said, "The first and the best firefighter is the homeowner, so can we help them become a little more prepared?"

The county has added two new fire-fighting helicopters, new fire engines and water tenders. They have also started a mass notification system and reverse 911 system when fire danger is in the immediate areas of homes and businesses.

However, Supervisor Ron Roberts said he would like a plan that includes freeway closure notification.

"I don't know what we can do to break that log jam … if a freeway is closed, so it gets reported as closed right then," said Roberts.

County funds have also paid to have more than 500,000 dead, dying and diseased trees removed.

Jacob said a deployment study is now under way to find out exactly what the county is missing.

The study should be completed by April 2010.