Public-safety officials representing nine national organizations yesterday expressed encouragement that federal lawmakers and policy-makers understand the need for a dedicated wireless broadband network for first responders but remain unsure whether their request to have the 700 MHz D Block reallocated to public safety will be granted.

“I think all of us in public safety that were here in Washington [yesterday] feel better about — if not the prospects for the D Block — certainly that the message was heard that public safety needs a dedicated public-safety wireless broadband network,” said Chris Moore, deputy chief for the San Jose (Calif.) Police Cepartment and chairman of the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCC) spectrum working group.