Bridgestone/Firestone Canada wants 2005 truck hero nominees

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MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — British Columbia’s Phil Tarrant, an employee of Vedder Transport in Abbotsford, B.C, saw a partially submerged vehicle in the water but did not think twice about stopping to rescue the occupant of the vehicle. Today, the driver of that vehicle credits their life to Mr. Tarrant.

This and countless other acts of heroism are performed on the highways and byways across North America and often by commercial truck drivers who probably log more miles than most travelers on the road these days.

That is why, for nearly 50 years, Bridgestone/Firestone Canada has worked to recognize those truck drivers who perform such acts of bravery through its annual Canadian Truck Hero Award.

Today, in launching the 2005 campaign, Bridgestone/Firestone Canada announced it will begin accepting nominations for the 49th edition of the award that is bestowed on a commercial tractor-trailer driver working for a Canadian trucking company who exhibits courage, quick thinking and integrity in the face of an emergency.

“Over the years, the Canadian Truck Hero Award had honoured drivers who have demonstrated poise and heroism, under difficult circumstances. Since the Award’s inception, we have honoured drivers who have saved people from drowning following automotive accidents, rescued children and adults from burning or overturned vehicles and those who have administered care to individuals with any number of life-threatening situations resulting from incidents on the road,” said David Scheklesky, Bridgestone/Firestone Canada’s Director of Commercial Truck Tire Marketing.

“Canadian truckers regularly perform heroic deeds that we seldom hear about, and that is why we are extremely interested in receiving award nominations from these drivers, their peers and the from the general public.”

The Canadian Truck Hero winner will receive the award during the Ontario Trucking Association annual convention in November.

Nominations are welcome from across the country and must be received by Oct. 14, 2005. Nominees must be Canadian residents and full-time commercial tractor-trailer drivers working for a Canadian trucking company. The incident being recognized must have taken place in North America between October 1, 2004 and September 30, 2005. A police statement or affidavit corroborating driver actions is required with the nomination.

The panel judging the award, comprised of industry-related professionals, will give special consideration to the degree of personal danger or risk encountered; the emergency procedures followed; the assistance rendered to victims involved in the incident and; the proper use of safety equipment.

The 2005 award will include a cash prize of $3,000 from Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc., a VIP trip for two to Toronto for the award presentation, invitations to a VIP luncheon, recognition during the Ontario Trucking Association convention and the Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award trophy. The owner of the trucking company will also be presented with a trophy and a trip to Toronto.

Nomination forms and additional information can accessed on the Web site, www.truckhero.ca.

Nomination forms should be submitted to:
The 2005 Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award
C/O Torchia Communications
22 Armstrong Blvd.
Barrie, Ontario
L4N 4R5
ATT: Deanne Beck

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