Procession celebrating the life of Harvey Hall en route to Rabobank Arena.

Hall Ambulance staff and Central California communities gathered today at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, CA to celebrate the life of Harvey Hall. Hall founded the ambulance service in 1971 and served as its president and CEO for over 45 years until his passing on May 15th of this year. In an impressive showcase of unity, CA private ambulance providers sent strike teams to cover the region’s EMS needs allowing all employees to attend the services.

In addition to founding and leading Hall Ambulance, Hall served four terms as mayor for Bakersfield from 2000 to 2016, making him the longest-serving mayor in the history of the town. He was known for his dedication to community development, education advocacy and business development across the region. During his tenure he initiated efforts to tackle homelessness and city beautification.

He also established the Mayor’s Scholarship Foundation for graduating seniors heading to college and funded it each year with his entire mayoral salary.

Born in Bakersfield, Hall attended Bakersfield High School and Community College, before heading to San Francisco City College. There he studied journalism, Personnel Management and Emergency Medicine. In 1960, he entered the emergency medical services industry where he stayed until the founding of his own company in Bakersfield.

In recognition for his outstanding life achievements in bettering his community, Hall has been previously awarded the Kern Chapter Real Heroes Life of Service Award, Darrel Hildebrand Regional Award of Merit for Distinguished Leadership, the Iron Eyes Cody Award, the Planck Foundation Humanitarian of the Year, the Jim Burke Light and Liberty Award, and the John Brock Community Service Award.

His legacy will long be remembered by his employees, his community, and the California EMS community. He leaves behind his wife and four children.

Harvey Hall, right, at Hall Ambulance in 1983.