Ace Fire Defense: My Woolsey Fire Story & Home Defense Tips

At Ace Fire Defense, our core intention is simple: treat every customer better than anyone else possibly can. We believe in serving others with honesty, care, and real solutions.

After surviving and actively serving during the devastating Woolsey Fire, I experienced intense post-traumatic stress every time Santa Ana winds kicked up. Sleep became impossible. That experience drove me to create a practical preparedness kit for my own porch — complete with a gated hydrant valve, professional hoses, nozzle, gloves, and wrench — so I could quickly access the fire hydrant 100 feet away and defend my home at a whole new level.

I am a CERT member (Community Emergency Response Team), trained by the Los Angeles Fire Department and FEMA. This training equips me to act effectively as a first responder before professional firefighters arrive.

However, I am not a firefighter. I’m an empath who deeply cares about helping families stay safe.

Our products are professional-grade wildfire defense tools — not toys or garden hose upgrades. I personally teach customers how to use them through clear video tutorials or in-person sessions when possible.

The goal is straightforward: Help you become better prepared than you are right now.

Critical Safety Message:

If you are in immediate danger — especially with high winds driving a fast-moving fire — or if your structure has already caught fire, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. Do not hesitate.

Our training and equipment are designed strictly for defensive use: protecting your home from ember attacks and spot fires when it is safe to do so.

 Please be responsible. Always prioritize your family’s safety. Have your evacuation plan ready, keep your car backed in, and be prepared to leave in seconds. Never risk your life to save property.

You deserve far more than a garden hose when defending your home. Our Ace Fire Defense kits are built to be shared with neighbors, helping your entire community support arriving firefighters.

Proactive Steps We Strongly Recommend

• Cover all vents with fine metal mesh (1/8 inch)
• Trim dead branches and keep trees clear of your roof and structure
• Maintain a clean property and create defensible space
• Have a solid family evacuation plan in place

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Preparation saves lives and property.Thank you for trusting Ace Fire Defense.

About the co-founder of Ace Fire Defense: 

Sherwin "Ace" Ross is the cofounder of Ace Fire Defense and a passionate advocate for empowering homeowners to protect their families and properties from the growing threat of wildfires.

With over 45 years of experience as a manufacturer and product developer, Ace brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial drive, creative problem-solving, and real-world emergency response knowledge to the fire defense industry. His journey includes leadership roles at major apparel brands like Forever 21 and Kayser Intimates, as well as collaborating on iconic projects such as the first CBGB apparel line with Hilly Kristal. Products he helped develop were proudly carried in premium retailers including Bloomingdale’s, Dillard’s, Macy’s, and Fred Segal.

Ace’s commitment to safety deepened through hands-on experience battling devastating Southern California wildfires, including the 2018 Woolsey Fire in his own Woolsey Canyon community, as well as later responses in the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Fires. These experiences revealed the critical need for reliable, professional-grade tools that everyday homeowners could use effectively when seconds count.

As a Certified Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member trained by the Los Angeles Fire Department, Ace is also a proud member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the California State Firefighters’ Association (CSFA). He serves as an Ultimate Fire Team member with Tony Robbins’ Fire Team, where he helps ensure safety during high-impact global events—preparing fire pits and glowing coal lanes that allow thousands to confront their fears and transform their lives.

At Ace Fire Defense, Sherwin channels his manufacturing expertise into designing and producing battle-tested wildfire defense solutions, including premium attack fire hoses, nozzles, the Full Face Respirator P100 Mask, gated hydrant valves, and the Fire Safe Home Bundle. His mission is clear: deliver high-quality, NFPA-compliant equipment that is both effective and accessible, helping turn ordinary residents into prepared heroes in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI).

When he’s not innovating fire defense tools, Ace dedicates his time to educating homeowners on practical preparedness strategies. He lives by the belief that “In serving each other, we become free.”

Whether equipping families for ember-driven wildfires or supporting first responders, Sherwin “Ace” Ross remains deeply grateful for the opportunity to protect communities and give people a real fighting chance against one of nature’s most powerful forces.