Bomb Materials found in Home

A delivery company alerted emergency officials of a shipment of potential "bomb-making" materials and sparked an evacuation of the surround neighborhood. 40-homes were evacuated and a 300 ft. perimeter was established around a residence in Santa Cruz, CA. according to KION news. Again, another example of the potential for domestic terrorism. While we're all counting Swine Flu cases, groups and individuals from coast to coast have the ability to devastate.
Source and video link here. See also National Terror Alert.

There are a few interesting points in this situation. The challenge of evacuation of residential areas is difficult...this situation unfolded during the evening hours, contributing to an even greater challenge. Additionally, the neighbors of this suspect were not surprised he had bomb-making material and noted he has been making fireworks for "years." I think this level of familiarity with the situation may have complicated the evacuation request. But, we have to wonder why people didn't react (given their knowledge) to the change from fireworks to "bomb-making" threat.
Also at issue is decision to re-occupy. Police allowed residents to re-occupy later that night, only to come back the next day and find more material causing a second evacuation request. People were kept out of their homes for about 24-hours...but some admit to sneaking back in during the removal of the material. We need to be absolutely sure on our course of action when we initiate an evacuation and even more confident when we allow re-occupation. Getting people out and then letting them back in, only to evacuate a second time is dangerous. This misstep prompts people to second guess your action and leads to loss of credibility of your order. As in this case, people will find their way back in and potentially into harms way.
The implications are, of course, huge. Consider that if residence defy your evacuation or isolation (because of ignorance on their part or lack of confidence in your agency) you'll be in the position to have to commit resources to search and rescue that should be dedicated elsewhere. Bottom line: if you make the choice to evacuate...do it and initiate measures to keep people out until you are certain, without doubt, it is safe to let them back. (source: KION News and Terror Alert)
Evacuation - you only get one try