TORONTO, Ont. — Bridgestone/Firestone Canada (BCFA) is on the lookout for Canada’s 50th truck hero to be recognized by the Bridgestone/Firestone Truck Hero Award.

This campaign will recognize a commercial truck driver who exhibited courage, quick thinking and integrity in the event of an emergency. Nominations are being accepted until Oct. 15, 2004.

“Without a doubt, truckers are one of the most vital parts of our economy and our community,” said David Scheklesky, BFCA’s Director of Commercial Truck Tire Marketing (Canada). “For nearly 50 years our company has celebrated truckers’ bravery and selfless acts through the Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award. Today we’re looking for help from our communities in the search for those truck drivers who have put their lives on the line to save others.”

The winner will be presented with the award at the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) convention held in Toronto in November. Nominations can be submitted from across Canada. Nominees must be Canadian residents and full-time commercial tractor-trailer drivers working for a Canadian trucking company.

The incident must have taken place in North America between Oct. 1, 2003 and Sept. 30, 2004. A police statement or affidavit is required to verify the details of the incident. A panel of judges will determine a winner based in part on the degree of personal danger or risk involved, the emergency procedures followed and the amount of assistance given to the victims involved as well as the proper use of safety equipment.

The winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000, a VIP trip for two to the awards presentation in Toronto, invitations to a VIP luncheon and a trophy. The company’s owner will also receive a trip to Toronto as well as a trophy.

To nominate a hero, call 877-201-2373 or visit www.truckhero.ca. Nomination forms can be sent to: The 2004 Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award C/O Torchia Communications, 22 Armstrong Blvd., Barrie, Ontario, L4N 4R5, ATT: Deanne Beck