Hall EMT Academy Recruitment
Hall Ambulance has opened recruitment for Class 44 of the Hall EMT Academy, starting on May 16, 2023. The program prepares individuals in under ten weeks to start working in the Hall Ambulance 9-1-1 system as an emergency medical technician (EMT).
An EMT works on the front line of emergency medical services as a first responder, assisting with patient care and providing safe transport to the hospital.
Training takes place Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., at the Harvey L. Hall EMS Academy, a state-of-the-art training facility. Weekly lectures are supplemented with hands-on skills, assessment training, quizzes, and exams that allow you to test your knowledge.
There is no cost for the recruits; plus, they receive a training wage while completing the program. Upon successful completion, Hall EMT Academy graduates start their new careers earning $43,825.60/year. In addition, employees receive a benefits plan including medical, dental, vision, life, flex spending, long-term disability, and 401(k), preparing them for retirement.
Established in 2001, The Hall EMT Academy has helped hundreds of individuals start their careers in emergency medical services. Several alumni have advanced, becoming paramedics, field supervisors, and management team members.
The Company provides a tremendous career path for those EMTs wanting to progress their career by applying for sponsorship into the Hall Paramedic Academy. New paramedics start at $65,000/year, plus benefits.
The minimum qualifications to apply for the Hall EMT Academy include: a high school diploma or GED completed, a valid driver’s license, at least 20 years of age by the time training starts, and a driving record insurable by Hall Ambulance Service’s insurance provider.
You must be available and willing to work all assigned shifts – nights and weekends included and be able to lift objects weighing up to 75 pounds.
For more information on the Hall EMT Academy, go to www.hallambcareers.com/emtacademy. The deadline to apply is March 24, 2023.
Lights & Sirens Invitational April 10
The tournament committee has set a date for the 13th annual Harvey L. Hall Lights & Sirens Memorial Invitational, benefiting Kern County burn survivors and their families. This year’s event returns to the Stockdale Country Club on Monday, April 10, with registration opening at 10 a.m., a catered lunch at 11 a.m., and a shotgun scramble at noon.
The Lights & Sirens Invitational was established in 2008 when Harvey L. Hall identified the need that burn survivors and their families required a commitment of long-term care and special assistance while on their road to recovery.
Since then, more than a half-million dollars has been raised to support these needs through the generous support of our local public safety, EMS, and business community partners. Tournament proceeds are distributed between the two local organizations dedicated to assisting burn survivors. The Bakersfield Firefighters Burn Foundation uses the funds to provide burn survivor & family support, burn care professional assistance, and burn prevention education. The Kern County Firefighters Burn Survivor Trust uses the funds to provide burn camp sponsorships, regional burn center support, and survivor scholarship awards.
Individual golfers can register for $200, while team foursomes are available for $800. The committee is also seeking tournament sponsors with a deadline of March 20 to maximize sponsor benefits. Download the player registration and sponsorship brochure here.
Harvey L. Hall Memorial Highway
Hall EMT Academy Recruitment
Hall Ambulance has opened recruitment for Class 42 of the Hall EMT Academy, starting on September 20. The program prepares individuals in under ten weeks to start working in the Hall Ambulance 9-1-1 system as an emergency medical technician (EMT).
An EMT works on the front line of emergency medical services as a first responder, assisting with patient care and providing safe transport to the hospital.
Training takes place Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Harvey L. Hall EMS Academy, a state-of-the-art training facility. Weekly lectures are supplemented with hands-on skills, assessment training, quizzes, and exams that allow you to test your knowledge.
There is no cost for the recruits; plus, they receive a training wage while completing the program. Upon successful completion, Hall EMT Academy graduates start their new career earning $41,000/year. In addition, employees receive a benefits plan including medical, dental, vision, life, flex spending, long-term disability, and 401(k), preparing them for retirement.
Established in 2001, The Hall EMT Academy has helped hundreds of individuals start their careers in emergency medical services. Today, several alumni have advanced, becoming paramedics, field supervisors, and even management team members.
The Company provides a tremendous career path for those EMTs wanting to progress their career by applying for sponsorship into the Hall Paramedic Academy. New paramedics increase their wages to $61,000/year, plus benefits.
The minimum qualifications to apply for the Hall EMT Academy include: a high school diploma or GED completed, a valid driver’s license, at least 20 years of age by the time training starts, and a driving record insurable by Hall Ambulance Service’s insurance provider.
You must be available and willing to work all assigned shifts – nights and weekends included and be able to lift objects weighing up to 75 pounds.
For more information on the Hall EMT Academy, go to www.hallambcareers.com/emtacademy. The deadline to apply is July 15, 2022.
Hall Ambulance Memorial
On April 12, President & CEO Lavonne C. Hall unveiled the new Hall Ambulance Memorial, a half a block west of the intersection of at 21st & O Streets in Bakersfield, California.
Whether their passing occurred while on duty or away from work, Hall Ambulance has felt a desire to honor their life and work contributions by placing a marker with their name in the Hall Ambulance Memorial Garden. It served as a place for quiet reflection and remembrance of the fallen for many years.
As the Company approached its 50th Anniversary last year, plans were made to renovate the memorial to pay proper tribute to past and future employees.
The design of the new Hall Ambulance Memorial is grand in scope, made of blue pearl granite and stone, and will serve as a fitting tribute to all. The cornerstone feature is a St. Bernard water fountain placed in the Memorial Garden following the passing of Founder Harvey L. Hall in 2018.
Attending the unveiling ceremony were Hall Ambulance employees and leadership, along with family members of those whose names have been inscribed on the new memorial. COO John Surface welcomed the gathering while Tom Touchstone, Pastor of 911 at Ease Kern County, delivered touching remarks and prayer.
The Hall Ambulance Memorial project team consisted of Mark Corum (design), Terry Adams (architectural plans and construction manager), Scott Benskin and Ricky Hammersley (construction), and Bell Memorials (granite and bronze lettering).
The Hall Ambulance Memorial will serve as a fitting tribute for generations of Hall Ambulance Employees to come.
Fallen employees whose names are inscribed on the Hall Ambulance Memorial:
Sandy Newby
Dispatcher
05/04/1956 – 06/08/1981
Tom J. Hvizdos, EMT I
Assistant Operations Manager
08/18/1956 – 01/28/1988
Kenneth Johnson
Medi-Van Driver
11/10/48 – 07/20/2002
Edwin W. Bauder
Paramedic Intern
02/01/1964 – 06/25/2003
Andrew Joseph Green
Paramedic Field Supervisor
05/02/1978 – 05/03/2007
Penny Vest
Paramedic
05/16/1951 – 09/06/2007
Edward Searfoss, EMT-P
Director of Quality Assurance
07/08/1979 – 06/06/2014
Dorothy McGee
Contracts Coordinator,
Business Office
07/09/1950 – 08/20/2016
Lawrence Mundschau
Paramedic
01/14/1961 – 11/25/2017
Harvey L. Hall
Founder
01/05/1941 – 05/19/2018
Breeanna Ledesma
Medical Supply Technician
08/03/1998 – 09/24/2018
Heather Taylor
Paramedic
09/09/1974 – 12/17/2019
Fransue Pratt
Medical Supply Technician
01/08/1976 – 01/14/2021
Eric Calderon
Paramedic
05/08/1984 – 08/04/2021
Trenton Jones
EMT
03/12/1999 – 11/20/2021
Kinesiology Student Moves to Becoming EMT
Are you looking for a healthcare career but not sure where to start? Hall Ambulance is currently recruiting for its next Hall EMT Academy, which prepares individuals to begin working in its 9-1-1 system as an emergency medical technician in eight weeks. Training begins May 10, 2022.
The program is just what J’Nise Evans, a kinesiology student in her last semester of college, was looking for when she applied for and was accepted into Class 38 last summer.
“I realized what really interested me was anatomy and physiology of the body and how it works,” she said. “I loved the idea of becoming an EMT because every day would be different and exciting. Rather than working in a hospital or clinic, I get to go out in the community and help people on scene.”
Training took place at the Harvey L. Hall EMS Academy in Bakersfield. Weekly lectures were supplemented with hands-on skills, assessment training, quizzes, and exams that allowed her to test her knowledge in CPR, anatomy/physiology, airway management, respiratory and cardiac, trauma, obstetrics, pediatrics, and geriatric emergencies.
Over four months into her new career, EMT Evans is happy with her decision. “I like working at Hall Ambulance because everyone is super friendly, and there is a lot of opportunity for growth. For example, my goal is to become a paramedic soon, and I can achieve this through the Hall Paramedic Academy!” That program is available to currently employed Hall EMTs who are ready to progress their career. Upon completing the paramedic prep course, they can apply for sponsorship into the paramedic training program. New paramedic graduates increase their starting pay to $61,000 per year, plus overtime opportunities and benefits.
The deadline to apply for the next Hall EMT Academy is March 4. You can begin the process by visiting hallambcareers.com/emtacademy
Only Call 9-1-1 During a Real Emergency
JOINT COMMUNITY MESSAGE
Only Call 911 During a Real Emergency
Bakersfield, CA – January 14, 2022 – Our healthcare and emergency response systems continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kern continues to experience high volumes of 911 calls and emergency room visits that are taxing our entire emergency response system.
The community can help support our local emergency response and hospital teams by calling 911 and only going to the hospital for life-threatening illnesses. If you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, stroke or other serious health condition, please seek emergency medical care. Hospitals are here to help, however; Kern continues to see an influx of people seeking treatment in our emergency rooms and calling 911 for ailments that could be treated faster by seeking urgent care or scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician.
Please do not call 911 or visit the ER for minor COVID complaints or to get COVID testing. We understand dealing with COVID can be difficult, but we want to ensure our first responders assist emergencies. Kern County Public Health, local hospitals and first responders continue to work together to provide the best care for patients in Kern County.
Please remember this simple prescription: Get vaccinated and boosted, maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly, wear a mask while in indoor public settings, stay home when sick, wash your hands often and gather outside or increase ventilation when indoors. Let’s work together to end this pandemic and get back to life as it should be.
Statements of Support
“Our first responders and healthcare workers are working extremely hard to provide vital emergency medical services to those in need within our community. Our pre-hospital and hospital emergency medical services system continues to be overly taxed. Please do everything you can to preserve these resources for true emergencies. I want to thank Kern County’s hospital, ambulance, and fire department leadership for their collaboration during these unprecedented times and for continuing to ensure our emergency response and healthcare systems remain strong, resilient and able to serve our community.”
Brynn Carrigan, Director of Kern County Public Health
“The current swell of COVID-19 cases, along with record-breaking 9-1-1 requests for medical aid, has created a perfect storm that is taxing Kern County’s emergency response system, including the availability of ambulances. Hall Ambulance joins with Kern County Public Health, local hospitals, and fellow first responders to implore residents to only call 9-1-1 during a real emergency. Ambulance resources are needlessly being taken away from responding to true medical emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes. Non-life-threatening conditions can best be treated at an urgent care, your primary care doctor, or at home via telehealth. It is vitally important that the community do their part to help keep ambulances available by only calling 9-1-1 for a true medical emergency.”
Lavonne C. Hall, President & CEO, Hall Ambulance Service, Inc.
“The latest COVID surge is severely impacting all of our emergency rooms across Kern County. ERs must care for our most critical patients and it’s important the public understand when to come to the emergency room. If you are experiencing serious COVID symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or a high fever, get to an emergency room immediately. For mild symptoms, please call your doctor or visit an urgent care. If we all work together, get vaccinated and boosted, wear a mask, and stay home when sick, we will get through this together.”
Ken Keller, President/CEO of Memorial Hospital and
Dr. Hemmal Kothary, Interim President/CEO of Mercy Hospitals
“Your Kern County firefighters and dispatchers have been bravely on the front lines of this pandemic since it began, almost two years ago. As national health authorities continue to become more educated about the COVID virus and its’ variants, our local authorities remain vigilant in making informed decisions as to what will keep our communities safe. As your local emergency responders, we rely on our citizens to understand and adhere to this practice as well. Please take the time to understand when, and when not, to call 911. This seemingly small act could mean the difference between life and death.”
Aaron Duncan, Kern County Fire Chief & Director of Emergency Services
“As the area’s only Trauma Center, Kern Medical’s Emergency Department works to respond to the most emergent cases daily. Throughout much of the pandemic, our patient volume has consistently held at 25% above what would be normal levels. With these higher levels, we continue to urge the public to seek services appropriate to the level of care needed.”
Manish Amin, DO
Kern Medical Emergency Medicine Residency Program Director and Vice Chair of the Emergency Department
Now Serving Delano & McFarland
Starting on Friday, October 1, the residents of Delano and McFarland, California, will have a new ambulance provider serving their cities—one with a familiar and trusted name.
On Tuesday, the Kern County Board of Supervisors approved the transfer of ownership of Delano Ambulance Service to Hall Ambulance Service, Inc., allowing the 50-year-old company to bring its exemplary level of pre-hospital care based on its founder’s ideals of Care, Compassion & Community to these northern Kern County communities.
With a population of 53,573, Delano is the second-largest city in Kern County—making this a significant acquisition for Hall Ambulance. “When my husband started Hall Ambulance in 1971, he did so with the vision to introduce his standard of care to as many Kern County residents as possible,” said Lavonne C. Hall, president and CEO. “From the Company’s first expansion in 1975 (Arvin) to its most recent in 2014 (Wasco) Hall Ambulance has experienced steady growth built on a positive reputation of providing high-quality pre-hospital care to the communities we serve.”
Hall Ambulance’s transition team has been working diligently to ensure a smooth process as they welcome Delano Ambulance employees to the Hall Ambulance family, orient current Paramedics and EMTs who will be assigned to the area, and prepare to start serving the people of Delano and McFarland, California.
Located at the north end of Kern County, EOA 3 encompasses an area from the Tulare County line to the north, Woody to the east, Lost Hills Road to the west, and Whistler Road to the south. Included within EOA 3 are 10-mile stretches of Highway 99 and Highway 65.
Harvey L. Hall founded Hall Ambulance Service, Inc. on February 10, 1971. With the acquisition, Hall Ambulance becomes the 9-1-1 paramedic provider serving 94% of Kern County, California’s population comprised of approximately 849,669 people, including the cities of Bakersfield, Arvin, Shafter, Wasco, Taft, Tehachapi, California City, Maricopa, McFarland, Delano, and surrounding communities.
EMS Week/Founder’s Day Awards
This week, healthcare’s first responders comprised of dispatchers, paramedics, and EMTs are being celebrated as part of National EMS Week. President Gerald Ford authorized the weeklong celebration in 1974 to recognize and celebrate EMS practitioners and the vital work they do in our nation’s communities.
These past 15 months have been exhausting and stressful for EMS workers who found themselves on the frontline of the pandemic in addition to continuing to respond to routine 9-1-1 requests for medical aid. Many were impacted by COVID-19 in their personal lives yet remained focused on tending to the needs of their community.
A weeklong celebration has provided welcome relief. Locally, Hall Ambulance is taking the time to honor its personnel starting with an EMS Week television commercial airing on all three local stations, 50th Anniversary T-shirts, and EMS Week lanyards. Of course, what is a celebration without some delicious grub, so the Hall Ambulance crews were treated this week to breakfast burritos, sub-sandwiches, and ice cream.
FOUNDER’S DAY AWARDS – Employee of the Year Presentations
On Wednesday, Hall Ambulance held a special 50th Anniversary presentation of its Founder’s Day Awards to announce the Employees of the Year. Several of this year’s recipients were allowed to invite their family members to take part in the celebration.
Congratulations:
Paramedic of the Year: Shane Courtis
EMT of the Year: Michelle Gutierrez
Paramedic Field Supervisor of the Year: Steve Prater
Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the Year: Sylvia Ricks
Hall CCT Employee of the Year: Heidi Hamstreet
Preceptor of the Year: Tim Salazar
FTO of the Year: Elliott Smith
Ambulance Division Support Employee of the Year: Rochelle Pate
Supply Division Employee of the Year: Glenn Dresser
Finance Department Employee of the Year: Mary Talbot
Human Resources Employee of the Year: Beth Cornell
Business Office Employee of the Year: Dewi Adams
Hall Commercial Vehicle Service Employee of the Year: Fred Bernal
Maintenance Division Employee of the Year: Scott Benskin
In addition, the following special presentations were made:
President’s Award for Customer Service: Al Heninger
Founder’s Award for Management Excellence: Terry Adams
The HLH Standards Award for Upholding Our Founder’s Ideals of Care, Compassion & Community: John Surface
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mary Kenny
Founded in 1971, by Harvey L. Hall, Hall Ambulance Service, Inc. is the 9-1-1 paramedic provider for 88% of Kern County, California’s population. Hall Critical Care Transport provides both ground and air regional interfacility transportation solutions.
HLH Memorial Highway Resolution
SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblyman Fong (R-Kern County) introduced ACR 64 to designate the portion of Westside Parkway between the Coffee Road offramp and Allen Road offramp as the Harvey L. Hall Memorial Highway.
As a pioneer of modern emergency medical services and Bakersfield’s longest-serving mayor, Harvey L. Hall embraced his motto of “Unity in our Community” with a lifetime of service to Kern County.
“Mayor Hall’s heart for service was evident through his leadership,” said Assemblyman Fong. “From City Hall to the back of the ambulance, Harvey Hall dedicated his life to bettering Bakersfield and the entire Kern County community. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Hall Ambulance Service, the Harvey L. Hall Memorial Highway honors his legacy of compassion, mentorship, innovation, generosity, and service above self.”
“I am honored to be a part of this highway dedication to the late Mr. Harvey Hall, who was a friend, public servant, and inspiration to our community,” said Assemblyman Salas. “Serving alongside Mr. Hall on the Bakersfield City Council was a privilege that I will always cherish. I am glad that we are able to enshrine his legacy with this highway renaming so that his memory and legacy never fades away.”
At 19-years-old, Mr. Hall went on a ride-along with a local ambulance driver, piquing his interest in emergency response and further developing into a 58-year career of service. With a $15,000 bank loan and a vision to build the best ambulance company in the nation, Harvey Hall founded Hall Ambulance Service in 1971, with his residence serving as headquarters.
Four short years later, Mr. Hall introduced the first mobile intensive care paramedic program in Kern County. His dynamic, five-star service earned Hall Ambulance Service recognition as the U.S. Paramedic EMS Service of the Year in 1991. Mr. Hall later went on to launch Hall Air Ambulance and Hall Critical Care Transport, providing both ground and air, inter-facility transport solutions. In 2020, on the 50th Anniversary of California’s Wedworth-Townsend Paramedic Act, the National EMS Museum, in association with California Ambulance Association, profiled Mr. Hall as one of 17 Californians for their impact on shaping EMS in the United States.
Today, Hall Ambulance Service serves 88% of Kern County’s population as their exclusive 9-1-1 paramedic provider.
Mayor Hall’s tenure in office included, in part, leading 91 groundbreakings, performing 958 ribbon cuttings with his custom-made, oversized scissors, issuing 10,750 Certificates of Appreciation to community members and veterans, and introducing Home First: Kern County’s Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.
ACR 64 will be set for a hearing Assembly Transportation Committee in the coming weeks.