MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Bridgestone Firestone Canada has a long tradition of honouring the unsung heroes of the road: truck drivers.

The Canadian Truck Hero award originated in 1956 as the Dayton Canadian Truck Hero Award, and is now known as the Bridgestone Firestone Canadian Truck Hero award. The award acknowledges and rewards selfless acts of bravery by Canadian truckers in the face of adversity, while in the course of performing their everyday jobs.

“These are people who perform above and beyond the call of duty,” says Jim West, general manager commercial products, Canada, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions. “With their profound acts of self-sacrifice and heroism, they not only ensure the safety of our highways, but also inspire others to carry out selfless acts of valour in the face of danger.”

As the search for the next Canadian Truck Hero draws to a close, Bridgestone Firestone is asking the public to come forward with their suggestions for this year’s nominees, before the deadline of Tuesday, Sept. 30. The 2008 winner will be announced in November at the annual meeting of the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA).

The winner of the 2008 Canadian Truck Hero Award will receive: a $3,000 cash prize; the Truck Hero Award trophy from Bridgestone Firestone Canada; a two-day VIP expense-paid trip for two to the award presentation ceremony in Toronto; an invitation to a VIP luncheon; and recognition during the OTA annual convention. The owner of the employer trucking company also receives an accompanying expense-paid trip to the ceremony.

Eligibility requires that the nominated incidents must have occurred within the period between Jan. 1, 2007 and Sept. 30, 2008. The eligibility period extends to overlap across each award year, to ensure that potential nominees are not overlooked. Only full-time Canadian commercial drivers from across Canada who are employed by a registered Canadian trucking firm, qualify for nomination. Nominated incidents are judged by a panel of industry-related professionals on the basis of the following: the degree of personal danger or risk incurred; emergency procedures followed; the quality of assistance rendered; and proper use of safety equipment.

Nomination forms, additional information about the award, or the list of past winners, are available on the website at www.truckhero.ca. Nomination forms should be submitted online or via mail to: The 2008 Bridgestone Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award; c/o Torchia Communications, 130 Spadina Avenue, Suite 502, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2L4.