08/28/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
West Hills Manufacturer-Turned-Wildfire-Survivor Launches Fire-Truck-Spec Attack Hose for Homeowners
Ace Fire Defense's "Big Red" brings municipal-grade fire hose couplings to residential wildfire defense, as founder Sherwin Ross marks eight years since defending his own home during the Woolsey Fire
WEST HILLS, Calif. — Ace Fire Defense, the wildfire defense equipment company founded after the 2018 Woolsey Fire, today announced the launch of "Big Red," a 1¾" attack fire hose built with the same 1.5" aluminum NH/NST couplings used on municipal fire apparatus — bringing fire-truck-spec equipment to the residential market for the first time at a homeowner price point.
Founder Sherwin Ross started Ace Fire Defense after personally defending his West Hills property for two days during the Woolsey Fire, while more than 1,600 nearby homes were lost. A CERT-trained emergency responder with 42 years of manufacturing experience — including product development roles at Forever 21 and Kayser Intimates — Ross applied that same manufacturing discipline to building fire hose, brass hydrant valves, and nozzles rated to 900 PSI burst pressure, more than double the 200–400 PSI typical of imported hose sold on general marketplaces.
The company has since become a BBB A+ accredited business, an NFPA and California State Firefighters' Association member, and has equipped homeowners during the Eaton, Palisades, and Woolsey fires — including a widely shared case in which Ace drove an 8-hour round trip to hand-deliver equipment to retired 35-year fire captain Dave Delay after his original order couldn't get through due to wildfire street closures.
"Most homeowners don't know it's legal to use the public fire hydrant on their own street to defend their home," said Ross. "We built Big Red, and everything we sell, around one question: would I trust this to protect my own family? If the answer's no, we don't sell it."
Big Red is available for pre-order now in 50' and 100' lengths, shipping late September.
About Ace Fire Defense
Ace Fire Defense equips homeowners, first responders, and firefighters with field-tested, professional-grade wildfire defense equipment. Founded in West Hills, California, in 2018. Learn more at acefiredefense.com.
Media Contact:
Sherwin Ross
Ace Fire Defense
(213) 884-8448
[email protected]
acefiredefense.com