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Interpretation ID: GF002121

    Ms. Alice Dee Rainville
    210 Owen Street
    Athens, TX 75751


    Dear Ms. Rainville:

    This responds to your e-mail of March 29, 2003, and subsequent communication with George Feygin of my staff, concerning your desire to see all newly manufactured vehicles be equipped with fire extinguishers. You also stated that you would like to see all state, county, municipal, and other emergency vehicles be required to have a fire extinguisher within easy access. You asked how one might go about trying to get such laws passed. Let me begin by saying that I am sorry to hear about your familys loss. Below please find our response to your inquiry.

    By way of background, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has the authority to establish Federal motor vehicle safety standards applicable to new motor vehicles and new items of motor vehicle equipment. We do not, however, regulate how vehicles are operated or maintained. This is a matter under state or local jurisdiction.

    Our data show that fires occur in 0.2 percent of vehicles in all crashes, but in 2.9 percent of fatal crashes. In addressing this safety problem, we are focusing our resources on upgrading the Federal standard on fuel system integrity, to limit the amount of fuel spillage during and after frontal, rear, and side impacts. We also have a number of regulatory activities underway to improve occupant protection in crashes. As we continue to conduct our activities, we will bear in mind the contribution that fire extinguishers can make.

    As to your desire to see state, county, municipal, and other emergency vehicles to be equipped with a fire extinguisher within easy access, you may wish to contact your local and state officials about this request. You might also wish to contact the National Association of State EMS Directors (http://www.nasemsd.org) and/or the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (http://www.aamva.org).

    I hope you find this information helpful. If you have any questions, please contact George Feygin at (202) 366-2992 or by electronic mail at gfeygin@nhtsa.dot.gov.

    Sincerely,

    Jacqueline Glassman
    Chief Counsel

    Enclosure
    ref:552
    d.5/21/03