In Ireland and the UK, the sound made by emergency vehicles (police, fire, ambulance) is "Nee Naw", so that's the the generic term for vehicles that make this noise: neenaw.
Sirens in the US are quite different, so the word makes no sense at all. There don't really have one distinctive sound, so even the idea of having a soundy name for them doesn't translate. Such a shame.
When you call 999 in the UK, you have to choose between police, ambulance and fire brigade. In the US, when you call 911, the ambulance is usually part of the local fire department.
Also in the US, calling 911 "for" somebody can be quite a hostile act: you can end up bankrupting them by your "kindness". In the UK there is no concept of paying for it, so you needn't hesitate.
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