MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — For the past 50 years quick-witted truck drivers who selflessly put their lives on the line to rescue people from vehicles in dire situations have been honoured with the Canadian Truck Hero Award.

The search for the 50th anniversary Bridgestone Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award has been underway since last fall, and nominations are being accepted until the end of September. This year’s winner will be honoured in November at the annual meeting of the Ontario Trucking Association.

“As we have come to realize in the 50 years of this award, truck drivers across Canada are going beyond the call of duty as they travel the highways of this land,” said David Scheklesky, general manager Commercial Truck Tires for BFCA.

The award originated in 1956 as the Dayton Canadian Truck Hero Award. The hero is selected from nominations submitted by Canadian trucking companies, which are required to include a police statement corroborating the nominated driver’s actions. The award is given to a truck driver who demonstrates courage, quick thinking and integrity in the face of an emergency.

The Canadian Truck Hero winner is awarded a cash prize by Bridgestone Firestone Canada, along with an all-expenses paid trip for two to Toronto for the award presentation in November. The owner of the trucking company also receives a trip for two to accompany his award-winning driver.

In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the event, Bridgestone Firestone has designed a bright new Canadian Truck Hero Award logo.

“We wanted to give the logo a fresh new look in this milestone year,” said Scheklesky. “Reaching the half-century mark is quite an achievement in any endeavour, and as we look back on the history of the Canadian Truck Hero Award, it is indeed noteworthy that so many rescues have been made and lives saved thanks to the poise and professionalism of truck drivers in the face of adversity.”

For more information on past winners, nomination guidelines and entry forms, visit the Bridgestone Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Web site at www.truckhero.ca.