TORONTO, Ont. – Time is running out for Canadians to nominate a brave truck driver for the 2003 Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award. For over 45 years, the award has been recognizing drivers who act quickly and risk their own personal safety to save the lives of others on North American roads. In 2002 Martin Baumber received the award for his courage and quick thinking that freed two women from a burning automobile in Woodstock, Ontario.

Nominees for the Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award must be full-time commercial transport truck drivers, working for a Canadian trucking company and Canadian residents.

A police statement or affidavit corroborating driver actions must be submitted with the nomination.

The incident being recognized must have taken place in North America between Oct. 1, 2002 and Sept. 30, 2003

The degree of personal danger or risk, emergency procedures followed, assistance to victims involved, and use of safety skills and equipment will all be considered.

The Truck Hero judging panel is made up of industry-related professionals. Bridgestone/Firestone Canada developed the Truck Hero program, which is supported by the Canadian Safety Council, the Ontario Trucking Association, and the Canadian Trucking Alliance. Call 877-544-HERO (4376) or visit www.truckhero.ca for more information or a nomination form. Recipients of the Canadian Truck Hero Award are awarded: $5,000 from Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc., a trip to Toronto for the award presentation and recognition at the annual Ontario Trucking Association Convention.

If a truck driver has assisted yourself or a loved one at the scene of a crash, or if you know of a courageous driver who could be the 2003 Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero, call 877-544-HERO or visit www.truckhero.ca to obtain a nomination form.

The deadline to submit applications is Oct. 15, 2003.