The SART structure is split into two - OPERATIONAL and ADMINISTRATIVE . The Operational structure is used during deployments and on some training exercises. The Administrative structure is in operation at all other times. The following diagram illustrates both structures:

Operational Structure

The Team has fourteen operational members including two SIMCAS Doctors and five 'stand-by' operational members.

When mobilised the Team is commanded by a Team Leader, normally of Station Officer rank. The Team will normally consist of four Team Members, each of whom are of Leading Firefighter or Firefighter rank. A Doctor may also be attached to the Team - making a total team strength of six.

The nominal strength allowed by the Brigade ensures that there are two Team Leaders and eight Team Members always available for mobilisation.

A mobilisation by UKFSSRT will often consist of a number of teams and these will be led by a Field Commander. This position is normally held by someone of Divisional Officer rank. Currently the West Sussex team have two officers able to take on this role if required by UKFSSRT.

Administrative Structure

The Team is under the control of the Team Co-ordinator, who reports directly to the County Fire Officer on matters relating to the SART. Apart from overall responsibility, the Co-ordinator's role is to form policy, deal with financial matters and act as a focal point for communication between the Team, UKFSSRT and other bodies outside the Brigade.

A Team Manager assists the Team Co-ordinator. The role of the Manager is very much 'hands on', dealing with training, communication, administration, equipment and other issues. This is achieved mainly by co-ordinating the work of personnel designated with these tasks within the team structure, ensuring a common sense of purpose and direction.

Team Members all have a dual role within the Team. Not only do they have to maintain their own operational readiness through training and fitness programs, but also each Team Member is allocated a particular area of responsibility within the overall workload of the Team. These areas include training, equipment, information management, communications, recruitment and others.

Support Team

Recently, and as a direct result of our experiences of deployments to Macedonia and Turkey, we have also enlisted the help of other personnel, both inside and outside the Brigade, who although they are not to be deployed overseas, assist in a 'support' role and give specialist advice in certain fields.

In particular, the Team benefits from the direct input of specialist knowledge and assistance in fields such as press and publicity, administration, communications, clothing and equipment supply.

At times personnel from both the Operational team and the Support Team may be brought together in an Ad-hoc Working Group to deal with particular issues. These Groups may be led by the Team Manager or by someone with particular expertese in the relevent area of operations.

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