Now's the time to know fire procedures.

Do you know what to do if your tank catches fire? If you don't, you're not only a danger to yourself, but other crewmen as well.

All Crewmen

Once a fire is detected, all crewmen should hold their breath and speak only to give commands or responses. Breathing smoke or fumes from a tank fire will slow you down and can result in injury or death.

Make sure that all hatches are in the open-lock position before exiting. You don't want a hatch crashing down on you or someone else while you're trying to get away from a tire.

Commander

Traverse the turret so the gun tube is over the left side of the tank. Be prepared to override the driver's hatch interlock (DHI) if the driver tries to open his hatch before or while the turret is traversing. Turn off turret power.

Shout the command, "EVACUATE!" Let the gunner take your portable fire extinguisher while you open the commander's hatch and evacuate. Take back the portable fire extinguisher and help the gunner move to safety through the commander's hatch. Then move to the front slope of the tank to help the driver evacuate.

Assemble the crewmen at least 30 meters (about three tank lengths) from the left rear of the tank. Then you must decide if it is safe and possible to return to the tank to put out the fire with the portable fire extinguisher.

Gunner

Turn and face the turret wall as much as possible to limit your exposure to heat and fire.

Set the GUN SELECT switch to TRIGGER SAFE. Then pull the pins holding your seat back posts in place and remove the seat back. Take the tank commander's portable fire extinguisher while he evacuates through the commander's hatch.

Pass it back to him and exit through the commander's hatch. Go to the rear deck and help the loader disconnect the fuel line quick-disconnect coupling.

Report to the assembly area 30 meters to the left rear of the tank and stand by to fight the fire as directed by the tank commander.

Turn and face the turret wall to limit your exposure to heat and fire. Move the SAFE/ ARMED handle down to the SAFE position.

Loader

Then move the ammunition compartment knee switch to the up (stowed) position.

Open the loader's hatch and exit, Then remove the loader's portable fire extinguisher from the left cargo rack box. Meet the gunner at the rear deck and disconnect the fuel line quick-disconnect coupling. Report to the assembly area 30 meters to the left rear of the tank. Stand by to fight the fire as directed by the tank commander.

Driver

Stop the tank and move the shift select to neutral. Pop up the driver's hatch to allow fresh air inside, but do not open the hatch until the tank commander has finished traversing the turret and you hear the EVACUATE! command. Opening the hatch too soon could result in serious injury or even death.

Pull the CREW FIRE T-handle or ENGINE FIRE T-handle depending on the fire's location. Set the parking brake and shut down the tank by holding the ENGINE SHUTDOWN switch to SHUTDOWN. Stow the steer-throttle control and remove your night vision device if it's installed.

After the commander gives the EVACUATE! command, press the tank reset push button on the hull power distribution unit (HPDU) to interrupt electrical power for M1A2 tanks. For M1A1 tanks, shut off the VEHICLE MASTER POWER switch. Open your hatch and evacuate.

Once outside, pull the external ENGINE FIRE T-handle on the left side of the tank. Report to the assembly area 30 meters to the left rear of the tank. Stand by to fight the fire as directed by the tank commander.