Since being introduced in 2005, Hall Ambulance’s Siren the Rescue Dog has entertained children of all ages through appearances at parades, health fairs, sporting events, and community events. Hall EMTs and Paramedics have also provided more than 70,000 cuddle-size versions to the children they respond to, helping to ease their anxiety during a medical emergency.

In celebration of Siren the Rescue Dog’s 20th “Birthday,” this larger-than-life Saint Bernard mascot has been reimagineered and is ready to be reintroduced to the community. On January 16, 2025, approximately 36 Hall Ambulance employees consisting of paramedics, EMTs, EMDs, managers, and leadership joined in the celebration where Siren made her debut, all grown up and now donning a paramedic uniform.

The History of Siren the Rescue Dog
Over the years, Mr. and Mrs. Hall have incorporated various mascots as part of their ambulance company’s public education and community outreach program, starting with Motor Medic in the mid-1970s, inspired by Star Wars’ R2-D2. In the 1990s, Hall Ambulance introduced a miniature animatronic ambulance aptly named Li’l Harvey, the Paramedic’s Pal. Using a remote control and headset, an operator would stand back while Li’l Harvey interacted with children, talking to them about emergency medical services.

In 2005, they were looking for a fresh way to connect their ambulance service with the community’s children. The answer was as close as their lovable family pets—two Saint Bernards named Siren and Rescue. Mrs. Hall witnessed firsthand how people reacted favorably to the K9s when she would take them to visit with seniors at convalescent facilities. That, combined with the fabled history of Saint Bernards assisting monks in seeking missing or trapped travelers in the Alps, made them the perfect species to serve as Hall Ambulance’s next mascot.
A smaller version of Siren the Rescue Dog was soon developed and is stocked on the entire fleet of Hall Ambulance emergency vehicles for the paramedics and EMTs to give to the children they transport. Since 2005, it is estimated that over 70,000 Siren the Rescue Dog cuddle toys have been provided to local children. On several occasions, parents contacted Hall Ambulance, often distraught, when their child’s Siren was lost in search of a replacement. Always happy to oblige, Hall Ambulance often makes the presentation extra special by having the Siren mascot personally deliver a replacement plush to the child.

In 2018, the program received state and national attention, winning a CAASE Award in the Community Impact category from the California Ambulance Association and an AMBY Award from the American Ambulance Association for Best Public Relations Campaign. In 2019, Siren the Rescue Dog was granted a Registered Trademark from the U.S. Patent Office, protecting her legacy for generations to come.