UNIONS have warned that looming cuts to firefighter numbers could impact on the future response to major incidents such as the Shoreham Airshow disaster.

The claim comes as it was revealed that one of the first fire engines on the scene on Saturday with fuel fire fighting capability will be removed from Hove Fire Station in April next year along with up to 24 firefighters.

But fire chiefs moved to reassure the public, and said that the service would actually have increased capability thanks to new investment in engines this financial year.

Seven of the eleven victims of the tragedy on Saturday have now been publicly named while pilot Andy Hill has been moved to a specialist hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

The A27 remains closed for repair and investigation work and will now not reopen until Bank Holiday Monday.

Large crowds gathered at Clacton Airshow yesterday as organisers paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the Shoreham plane disaster.

A source within the fire service contacted The Argus to warn that the service would be less well prepared for major events like Shoreham Airshow if it is gone.

The East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service water tender from Hove station was among the first on scene on Saturday as it assisted the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service operation.

The vehicle and 24 firefighters are set to be removed from Hove Station in an attempt to save more than £1 million by 2018/19.

The insider said: “These cutbacks are potentially devastating and life-threatening, and the airshow disaster has simply highlighted this fact, but the bosses will not listen.”

Danni Armstrong, secretary of the South East region of the FBU, said: “Ongoing budget cuts mean we have fewer firefighters and equipment to respond to major emergencies.

“The safety of the public and our firefighters is of paramount importance but we need the appropriate funding to be able to deal with major emergencies and the plane crash in Shoreham demonstrates this more than ever.”

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said its specialist Class B foam capabilities would continue in the city after the removal of the fire engine from Hove station.

A spokeswoman explained Hove currently had an engine with a Class B foam, which is particularly effective when dealing with aviation fuel fires and a second engine with compressed air foam systems in Preston Circus.

She said two new vehicles with compressed air foam systems will be delivered to Hove and Roedean stations during the current financial year.

She added: “The decision to remove a fire engine was not taken lightly and if it were not for the extreme financial challenges, we would not have had to consider this option.”