Bridgestone/Firestone Starts Search for Truck Hero

Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) is looking for your help in identifying the nation’s 50th truck hero as
a part of its annual Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award. The 2004 campaign was launched today and will recognize a commercial truck driver who exhibits courage, quick thinking and integrity in the face of an emergency.
“Without a doubt, truckers are one of the most vital parts of our economy and our community,” said David Scheklesky, BFCA’s Director of Commercial Truck Tire Marketing (Canada). “For nearly 50 years our company has celebrated truckers’ bravery and selfless acts through the Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award. Today we’re looking for help from our communities in the search for those truck drivers who have put their lives on the line to save others.”
The winner will receive the award during the Ontario Trucking Association annual convention in November.
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. The panel judging the award, made up 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 and; the proper use of safety equipment.
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, Alberta, and Paul Pelletier, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, rushed to help Ishmael when he was trapped in a burning van on Highway 17, near Wawa, Ontario. 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. Nomination forms and additional information are also available by calling
1-877-201-2373 or on the website, www.truckhero.ca.

Nomination forms should be submitted to
The 2004 Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award
C/O Torchia Communications
22 Armstrong Blvd.
Barrie, Ontario
L4N 4R5
ATT: Deanne Beck