Mr. Hall And Mama Nedra—Voices That Built A Legacy

Some emergency comm. center staff members describe their fellow employees as family, but Hall Ambulance Service in Bakersfield, California (USA), believes it. As any great story should begin, their unique bond started with a dare and a dream.

In 1960, their founder, Harvey L. Hall, was employed as an orderly at Mercy Hospital when a friend dared him to go with him on an ambulance ride-along that changed his course. Abandoning his initial plans to be a sportswriter, Mr. Hall (as lovingly referred to later by his employees) began a 58-year career of serving and preserving lives through the ambulance industry.¹

A photograph of the company’s original dispatch cubicle remains on display today, reminding Emergency Dispatchers of Hall Ambulance Service’s humble origins in 1971, fueled by a lot of heart, a small business loan, and two ambulances dispatched out of Mr. Hall’s home, where his distinguished plan for exemplary patient care began.

Origins and growth 

With business flourishing, Mr. Hall sought out a better solution to accommodate the company’s rapid growth. He developed a vacant lot in downtown Bakersfield, opening a new main station in 1978 that housed administration, field operations, billing, and a dispatch room large enough for two employees. In 1992, Mr. Hall purchased the building next door to once again expand operations, but their growth went beyond real estate. They implemented EMD certification and the Medical Priority Dispatch System^™ (MPDS^®) the same year.

Under Mr. Hall’s leadership, the company introduced Bakersfield’s first paramedic service (1975) and later implemented Kern County’s first critical care transport program (2009).² Two years later, their Emergency Communications Center became recognized by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch^® (IAED^™) as the world’s 154^th Accredited Center of Excellence (having since re-accredited four times).

Mr. Hall divided his time between the growing ambulance service and city hall when he was elected the mayor of Bakersfield. He served four terms from 2001 to 2016 in a role he found pride in with his continued efforts as a public servant.

In 2015, Hall Ambulance Service assumed responsibility for all 911 medical requests in Kern County, covering 8,132 square miles and serving a population of over 900,000 people. In 2024, they dispatched 151,600 calls, including 13,326 EMD calls in which EMDs provided Pre-Arrival Instructions.

Legacy honored 

Sadly, Mr. Hall passed away on May 19, 2018, at 77 years old, just two weeks and seven hours after being diagnosed with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD),³ a neurodegenerative disease with no current treatment or cure.

Though a heart-wrenching loss of a revered leader, Mr. Hall’s legacy continues with memories far beyond the twinkling smile behind his infamous moustache. Honoring his dedicated service to others, a large community celebration of life was held at a local arena and shown on three local TV networks.

A well-loved employee, Nedra E. Thompson, was selected to broadcast the final sign off for Mr. Hall’s call sign, “Lincoln 1,” voicing an emotional goodbye felt by everyone.

“It was a difficult thing for her to do,” said Mark Corum, Vice President of Marketing & Brand Strategy. “But she rose to the occasion, and she did such an excellent job of honoring him.”

Communications Center Manager Lashika Britton has held on to Mr. Hall’s message to “have compassion with each other and our community,” remembering his values in her everyday efforts in the emergency services.

Corum remarked that while Mr. Hall’s shoes could never be filled, he had mentored and prepared the next generation well. “We knew we would have to step up, and we’ve strived to honor him by doing our best.”

Continuing Mr. Hall’s passionate purpose, his wife, Lavonne C. Hall, stepped in as President and CEO of Hall Ambulance Service, confidently leading the company through the opening of the Harvey L. Hall EMS Academy, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, acquiring additional service areas, and commemorating Hall Ambulance’s 50^th Anniversary in the spring of 2021.⁴

In the summer of 2023, Mrs. Hall announced that while remaining the sole owner of Hall Ambulance, she would be reducing her daily involvement with the company, naming Jonathon R. Surface as president and chief executive officer. As chairman of the board and chief administrative officer, Mrs. Hall remains engaged in matters of significance and importance.

She also received the Vanguard Award, honoring her trailblazing 40 years in the emergency medical services by the American Ambulance Association (AAA) in 2024.⁵

Powerful influence

Mr. Hall’s example of genuine care trickled down into his employees. But none shone quite as brightly as Emergency Dispatcher Nedra Thompson—nicknamed “Mama Nedra,” for her nurturing side and her calm voice of clarity that guided the night shift.

Not only was Thompson invested in her fellow dispatch team, she checked on field crews and conducted her own debriefing chats after difficult calls, pulling her friends aside to lend a listening ear.

As an employee of 20 years, Thompson had gathered more than a few foundlings under her wings. Her co-workers appreciated the comfort they found in her interactions, even when dispatching over the radio channels.

“She had a special cadence that became familiar, a way of clearly breaking down each syllable,” Corum said. “Her kindness could be heard. You knew she would do anything to help you and to be there, following through in thoughtful ways.”

Looking back, Thompson filled an important role in helping her team process their personal stresses and exposure to traumatic situations.

“It’s such a tough job to face an emergency without physically being there with the caller,” Corum said. “They depend on you to ask the right questions, give the right instructions, and provide the right service for a scene you don’t encounter yourself, and later you wonder what happened and what more you could have done. Nedra cared about what that felt like.”

Commemoration and construction

When Thompson passed away on May 28, 2022, her absence echoed, another devastating loss.

It seemed everyone at Hall Ambulance had been personally touched by her influence. Adding her name to the beautiful pearl granite Hall Ambulance Memorial of dedicated employees in what had formerly been a rock garden felt like a small acknowledgement to honor the big impact she had displayed throughout her service.

When the construction of a new communication center was announced to house the growing dispatch team, the idea of naming it after Thompson received unanimous approval.

On Friday, March 28, 2025, Hall Ambulance hosted a private ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the Nedra E. Thompson Communications Center at 1001 21^st Street in downtown Bakersfield.

Thompson’s family, including her daughters, were invited to come to the ribbon cutting to honor their mother’s influential role in serving others. Again, all three major TV networks and local newspapers covered the opening as this celebration belonged to the whole community, ensuring Thompson’s voice would never be forgotten.

The 2,573-square-foot facility features nine workstations to accommodate Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) who process 911 ambulance requests and the transportation department, which coordinates nonemergency medical transportation services.

Located at the front of the entrance is a beautiful portrait of Thompson, situated where her warmth welcomes visitors and Emergency Dispatchers alike and is a reminder of the compassionate care she exemplified to her co-workers and the community she served.

Conclusion 

With over 119 years of combined experience, the Hall Ambulance dispatch team has a lot to offer the public. Three of their most senior Emergency Dispatchers have remained with Hall Ambulance for over 20 years, carrying on the legacy of cherished leaders and friends.

“We truly love each other as a team,” Britton said. “All of our dispatchers are great with helping each other and encouraging the culture of how Mr. Hall wanted us to be. We are all a little better because of those who have come before us.”

Sources

1. “About Us.” Hall Ambulance. 2024. https://hallamb.com/about-us/#history (accessed Oct. 14, 2025).
2. See note 1.
3. See note 1.
4. See note 1.
5. See note 1.

For more on Hall Ambulance, go to https://www.iaedjournal.org/hall-ambulance-sets-standard