Ontario Trucker Wins Bridgestone Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award for Life-Saving Rescue

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (Nov. 20, 2008) - A split-second decision to investigate a smoking car on the side of the road helped Ontario truck driver Conrad Henry save a life and earn the 2008 Bridgestone Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award. The award, which includes a trophy and a $3,000 cheque, was presented to Conrad by Jim West, General Manager, Commercial Products, Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA), at the annual meeting of the Ontario Trucking Association in Toronto. In addition, BFCA will also make a $3,000 donation to the charity of Conrad’s choice.

The Bridgestone Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award is an annual award that recognizes professional truck drivers who demonstrate courage, quick thinking and integrity in the face of an emergency.

“Truck drivers have a long history of heroic acts,” said Jim West, General Manager, Commercial Products, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions, a division of BFCA. “Since 1956, our company has made a commitment to honouring people like Mr. Henry who go to extraordinary measures to help a fellow motorists in distress. Stories like Conrad’s show what it takes to be a true hero.”

On October 6th, 2007 at approximately 2 a.m. on a return trip from Florida, Henry noticed a lightly smoking car pulled to the side of the highway near Munroe, Ohio. A small flame burning underneath the car caught Henry’s attention and he pulled over to investigate.

By the time he put his four way hazard lights on, the entire front end of thecar was in flames. While exiting his truck, Conrad used his cell phone to dial 911 and proceeded to retrieve his fire extinguisher from under the bunk. With the emergency operator on the phone in one hand, and the extinguisher in the other, Conrad made several attempts to put out the fire in the seemingly empty car. However, while attempting to douse the fire, he noticed a semi-conscious person slumped in the driver’s seat. Henry was able to fight through the heavy smoke, open the car door and drag the disoriented driver away from the car that was now half in flames.

Due to Henry’s quick and decisive actions, emergency personnel promptly arrived at the scene and were able to provide further medical assistance. The State police told Conrad that his quick thinking and decisivie actions had helped save the man’s life.

The winner of the Bridgestone Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award is selected from among nominations submitted by Canadian trucking companies, which are required to include a police statement corroborating the nominated driver’s actions.

For photos of the winner or more information on the Bridgestone Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award and its past winners, please visit: www.truckhero.ca.

Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc.:
Mississauga, Ontario-based Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) is an affiliate of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). BFCA and Nashville, Tenn.-based BFNT are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. BFCA and BFNT develop, manufacture and market Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. They are focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off the road, agricultural and other tires to their customers in Canada and the United States, respectively. In addition, through their industry-leading Bandag brand, BFCA and BFNT develop, manufacture, market and sell retreading materials and equipment.

About the Canadian Truck Hero Award:
The award originated in 1956 as the Dayton Canadian Truck Hero Award better known today as the Bridgestone Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award. The winner, who must be a full-time commercial transport truck driver of Canadian citizenship, is selected from among 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.