TORONTO — Thanks to Shawn Berube, 72-year-old trucker Bernard Bublish is still alive today.

On March 31, while he was using a phone booth on the shores of Lake Superior, 225 km north of Sault Ste. Marie, Shawn Berube smelled smoke. “At first I thought it was coming from the fireplace at the nearby restaurant,” he recalls. “But then I could see the smoke coming from the window of a transport truck parked in the lot between two buildings.”

The St. Paul, Alta. trucker immediately dashed to the cab of the burning truck and pulled the driver, Bernard Bublish, from the passenger’s side, where he had bunked for the night. Bublish was disoriented from smoke inhalation and covered in soot when Berube removed him from the cab. Moments later, the truck was engulfed in flames. Mr. Bublish was flown to a hospital, where he was treated and later released.

For his brave action, Berube was given the 2006 Bridgestone Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award yesterday at the Ontario Trucking Association’s 80th annual convention.

The award, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, recognizes the heroic acts performed by truckers demonstrating courage, quick thinking and integrity in the face of emergency.

In recognition of his achievement, Berube received a $3,000 cheque from Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA), along with a commemorative trophy. The award was presented by keynote speaker David Wilkins, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada.

“When truckers are on the road across this vast country, they never know when circumstances and situations might arise where they are required to lend a helping hand, render a service, or perform a heroic deed,” said David Scheklesky, general manager of BFCA commercial truck tires. “For Shawn Berube, what had been a routine evening quickly became a rescue operation in which he, literally, exhibited courage under fire. Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. is proud to recognize this and the many other extraordinary acts of heroism that have occurred during the 50-year history of this award.”