Bridgestone/Firestone Truck Hero Sought

Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc. is searching the highways for a driver worthy of the 50th Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award. The 2004 campaign was launched this week and will recognize a commercial truck driver who exhibits courage, quick thinking and integrity in the face of an emergency. Nominations must be received by October 15, 2004, writes Today’s Trucking from Canada.

The winner will receive the award during the Ontario Trucking Association annual convention held in Toronto in November.

The 2003 Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award recognized two heroes who helped save the life of Anthony Ishmael on November 14th, 2002. Clifford Ripley, of Spruce Grove, Alta., and Paul Pelletier, of Saskatoon rushed to help Ishmael when he was trapped in a burning van on Highway 17, near Wawa, Ont. Ripley and Pelletier worked together to cut Ishmael free from his seatbelt and pulled him to safety only seconds before the vehicle burst into flames.

To honour the 50th recipient, the award will include a cash prize of $5,000 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.

Nominations are welcomed from across the country and must be received by October 15, 2004. 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, 2003 and September 30, 2004. A police statement or affidavit corroborating driver actions is required with the nomination.