A West Penn Township official believes the township should designate emergency helicopter landing sites.

Supervisor Ted Bogosh said at Monday morning’s board of supervisors meeting that he believes that having exact heliport landing sites would be beneficial for helicopters during medevac rescues.

“Members of the fire company stated they like the idea,” Bogosh said. “It makes for much faster response time.”

Board Chairman Tony Prudenti questioned what the township’s insurance would do.

“Safety definitely comes first in our community,” said Prudenti, who added a township as big in size as West Penn would need many heliport locations.

Bogosh said he was merely attempting to stress the importance of emergency helicopter landing sites.

“It just speeds everything up and makes it safer for the community,” he said.

Supervisor Tim Houser said he’d like to wait and see what the township’s liability would be before expressing his support.

“I want to know what the liability of the township is if we designate certain areas,” Houser said.

Bogosh said he understood both Prudenti’s and Houser’s concerns.

“It’s just an option to make things safer for the community,” Bogosh said. “Members of the fire company were here, they thought it was a good idea.”

Prudenti then asked Bogosh if he has an airplane that he flies.

“I’m a recreational flier,” Bogosh said. “I fly for fun.”

After the meeting, Bogosh told a reporter that he has no interest in personal use.

“When I fly, I use public airports, not emergency sites,” he said. “If you talk to the aircrew pilot, they will tell you knowing the landing zone is a good thing. It saves time and is safer.”