Know a highway hero? Give Bridgestone a call.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — For 50 years, the Bridgestone Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award has acknowledged the brave and selfless acts of heroism that are consistently performed by Canadian truck drivers while on the road.

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The search for the 50th anniversary Canadian Truck Hero has been underway since last fall, and nominations are being accepted until the 30th of September, with this year’s winner to be announced in November at the annual meeting of the Ontario Trucking Association.

“We’re nearing the end of this year’s award period and would like to issue a reminder to people who may have witnessed a recent act of heroism by a truck driver to consider nominating him or her for this prestigious award,” said David Scheklesky, General Manager Commercial Truck Tires for Bridgestone Firestone Canada. “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. They are often the unsung heroes, and this award is an acknowledgment of not only their bravery but also of their commitment to safety and security.”

To be eligible, the nominated incidents must have occurred within the period between January 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006. The eligibility period has been extended to overlap across each award year to ensure that potential nominations are not overlooked.

The winner is awarded a cash prize by Bridgestone, along with a two-day all-expenses paid trip for two to Toronto to attend the award presentation. The owner of the nominating trucking company also benefits from a two-day all-expenses paid trip.

“This is definitely a milestone year for the Canadian Truck Hero Award,” said Scheklesky. “The sense of history is remarkable as we reflect on the many rescues that have been made and the lives that have been saved over the course of the past 50 years of the Award. It is a testament to not only to the professionalism but also to the heroism of truck drivers in the face of adversity.”