Woodstove Replacement Program

"Maine Enacts Wood Stove Replacement Program" is the headliner from a MPBN broadcast today. While this isn't exactly true, as the legislature hasn't passed the bill yet, it gives pause to the idea of using a wood stove as an alternative source of heating and cooking needs in your survival and preparedness homestead. In a nutshell, the program that will be developed will establish a fund at the state level to provide for the replacement of alder wood stove units with more efficient newer units. For those of us Mainers that rely upon the old standby, this may be the moment to seriously undertake replacing that old woodstove you are keeping on standby for when the grid goes down and you lose any other means of heating for your homes.

There are some points to bear in mind however. According to a Pierce-Atwood analysis of the legislation; Only wood stoves that were manufactured prior to 1988 and are used as a primary source of heat in a primary residence are eligible for replacement funding. That means if you desire to participate, you need to have an older woodstove ion use already. The program will be administered by the state EPA, and will supposedly be funded with 1.5 million that will be pulled from the same hat the pink bunny gets pulled from when there isn't any money to go around. That said; think carefully before you leap into the fire.

One of the problems many have with their preparedness planning is the financing of those plans, and some folks may be tempted to go around the barn backwards just to obtain a little help from Big Gov. Remember that the intent of this bill is to clean up the pollution caused by older stoves. The summary says that; This bill establishes a residential wood stove replacement program in the Department of Environmental Protection under which eligible applicants could receive funding toward the purchase of new cleaner-burning residential heating appliances to replace older wood stoves and appropriates funds for that purpose. The plan isn't in place, and standards as to who will be eligible, and exactly what kinds of appliances can be purchased has not been determined as yet.

Therefore, if you hear of this program, especially from a fast talking woodstove salesman, stand back and watch the game for a while before committing to a sale. As we get closer to the time of need we'll see an increase in the sales of woodstoves and firewood, so if you want to be prepared, buy now, or get your older model upgraded if you can. Normally I don't put much stock in these government handout programs, but depending how this scheme works out it could be to your advantage.

But before you do, make sure your research is complete.

Why is it important to have an energy efficient woodstove? According to the eco-warriors they reduce the amount of air pollution, but the practical reason is that you can get more work out of your stove for less fuel. It'll save you money on cordwood as it will take less to heat your home. Burn times can be substantially longer so you have to spend less of your time tending the fire. They are also supposedly safer to operate which lowers the risk of unwanted home fires. Based upon these three points alone, I'd say upgrading would be a wise choice at this time.

Maine being a cold weather state wood stoves are almost a given in your survival homestead, and anything you can do to reduce your costs will allow you to spend more on other supplies and equipment. And as I have said before, the closer we get to the time of need, the more expensive it will be to get fitted out as a survival style home. This is where your ability to analyze your situation and resources to develop your preparedness plans occurs.

Shopping for the long haul

It's been an interesting few weeks watching the value of our currency decline in the world markets, but that can have good consequences here in Maine. The value of the Canadian Dollar has increased to a level that is now on par with the American dollar, so if you want to jump across the border to pick up some supplies, you don't have to mess with the exchange rates to make sure you are getting what you think you are. A buck is a buck is a buck, both here in the US and to our lovely neighbor to the north.

I mention that because there really is no reliable retailer for preparedness supplies here in Maine, but we have a new company (http://www.basiclifeessentials.com ) across the border in New Brunswick you may want to take a look at. I haven't bought anything from them, so I cannot vouch for their reliability, and their online catalog is still under construction, so you'll have to contact them for prices. I'm told they are starting another operation for the northern New England market, so we'll see how that comes out.

One of the problems that seem to be worsening here in Maine is the ready availability of survival and preparedness supplies and equipment without having to go out of state or do your business online. That kind of sucks, but we've little that can be done about it. What few places claim to sell long term products are really little more than army-navy stores, commonly referred to as military surplus dealers. Not much from these sources, I am afraid to say.

That said, I have a comment/question for any Mainer's reading this post.

I'd like to see if we can get a listing of as many places within Maine, or within an easy drive from anywhere in the state, that are potential sources of possible long term supplies and equipment for the Prepper community. There are many shops that deal in things like alternative heating systems and fuels, generators, solar equipment, foods and food preparation, small farm suppliers and so forth that don't advertise in the normal resources the preparedness community would frequent. That is mostly because they don't consider themselves as preparedness suppliers.

I don't want to do this as an advertising stunt, but I believe it would be of tremendous benefit to other Mainers to know where we can go to get some supplies and maybe some advice on different products on a first hand basis, rather than on the internet, where you may not have your questions answered as well as you'd like them to be all the time. If you'd like to take part in developing a stronger preparedness community here in Maine, simply leave your thoughts in the comment box, or drop me an email if you'd rather.

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One of the things happening in Maine now is a reduction in police and firefighting staffing in many communities across the state. This will leave some smaller communities with no ability to quickly respond in the event of a major disaster. Some towns are contracting their police, fire and ambulance services to nearby towns leaving some towns completely without these services. This would be a good time for us to start looking at volunteering or participating in the emergency planning functions of these smaller towns.

For those of us that have been learning the ropes of preparedness for a while, it should be of some benefit to the community. After all, the community we live in is home, and we should look after our own homes, shouldn't we?

As a couple of other notes, I understand that there may be some changes in the works for some inland waterway flood zone changes, although I haven't been able to determine exactly what those changes will be. I believe that most of the change will culminate in a reduction of available assistance to those living in recurring heavy flood areas, so if you live in one of these areas, keep up with the changes to avoid problems down the road.

Also, don't forget that even with the record and near record rains, the dry Canadian air is coming back, and with it the winds will pick up. Be aware of the possibility for wildfires over the next couple of weeks if you live out of town.

MEMA News:

• 04/08/2010: Maine CERT's Recognized in National CERT Newsletter
  
• 04/07/2010: State Dam Inspector Determines "No Breach" of Colcord Pond Dam.
  
• 04/01/2010: Call 2-1-1 to Learn About Flood Recovery Options and Report Flood Damages
  

3.0 Earthquake in Maine

Just as an alert to those in Maine that think it can't happen here, it did. Minor of course, in the grand scheme of things, but we did have an earthquake to day. There have in fact been many quakes in Maine, with the largest recorded being a 4.8 in Bowmanton Township in 1973. Prior to the current magnitude rating scheme in use a level VII earthquake was felt in Eastport back in 1904, which, according to the Maine Geological Survey would have been a 5.9 magnitude today. But even further back in time, and earthquake was felt in the 1600s where the ground was visibly lifted in front of witnesses, who claimed the ground moved as a wave upon the sea. So, remember my three Ps of preparedness, anything is possible.

More news should be coming through the local sources on this evening's news where you'll be able to hear all about it. Until then, flooding remains the real threat from all of this rain we've been having. Initial reports out of Porter had Route 25 flooded over with the breaking of the Colcord Pond dam, however it turns out that while under heavy rain, Route 25 is in fact open, and it was just the side roads affected by the flash flooding cause by that dams breeching. Got your Go Bags ready?

Until the main stream media has news, here are the USGS details on the earthquake:

Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude 3.0 M Date-Time 30 Mar 2010 20:42:18 UTC 30 Mar 2010 16:42:18 near epicenter 30 Mar 2010 15:42:18 standard time in your time zone Location 44.672N 68.752W Depth 4 km Distances 9 km (5 miles) ENE (65 degrees) of Winterport, ME 11 km (7 miles) NNE (18 degrees) of Bucksport, ME 11 km (7 miles) SE (146 degrees) of Hampden, ME 286 km (178 miles) NE (48 degrees) of Manchester, NH 307 km (190 miles) SE (140 degrees) of Québec, Québec, Canada Location Uncertainty Horizontal: 0.7 km; Vertical 1.7 km Parameters Nph = 33; Dmin = 26.7 km; Rmss = 0.23 seconds; Gp = 154° M-type = M; Version = a Event ID NE 00001168 (click onto the event ID link to go to the USGS report on this quake)

Get Ready ME 2010

The MPHA gets into the preparedness race with new website;

The following press release describes their efforts to help Maine prepare for disaster, and can be found here. Bear in mind that this site is run by a health oriented association, and is geared towards that area of preparation. It is a bare bones page, but it does have a couple of helpful links, such as
www.maineprepares.com. They also have a basic checklist for getting a kit together in PDF form that you can download.

New Tools Available to Help Mainers Prepare for Emergency or Illness

"Get ME Ready" Campaign Launches in Portland

It takes more than duct tape to be ready for an emergency. That's according to the Maine Public Health Association and its many partners in the new Get ME Ready campaign. The campaign is designed to help Maine people prepare for emergencies or illness that keep them home - maybe without power, heat, or clean water.

Get ME Ready was unveiled today in Portland and includes a new website (www.getMEready.org), public service announcements featuring doctors and veterinarians, and a statewide outreach effort via email, face book, and twitter. Tina Pettingill, Director of the Maine Public Health Association, introduced the campaign by saying, "Here in Maine we like to think we're ready for anything. So let's make sure we are. There are a few simple steps we can all take to help our children, our pets, and the older adults we care for be safe during emergencies or illness."

The campaign features a video message from Dr. Dora Ann Mills, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control, which urges everyone to "get a kit, make a plan, and be informed". Dr. Mills was on hand to discuss the campaign and stated, "Emergencies and illness can happen to any of us at any time. But by taking some simple steps as individuals to get ready, we are also doing our part to improve health and reduce costs for everyone."

Emergency management officials pointed out that Maine can seem far removed from earthquakes and tsunamis, but is not immune to other unexpected weather and health events. Lynette Miller, Communications Director for the Maine Emergency Management Agency stated, "Disasters and emergencies come in all sizes. It doesn't have to be a catastrophic event like the floods of 1987 or the ice storm of 1998. Here in Maine we have had three storms and floods in the last four weeks. While not large events, they were major family emergencies for those affected by them. The good news is, self-reliance, but also working together, are parts of our heritage in Maine. Let's all take the next step and make sure we really are ready for anything."

In addition to the Maine Public Health Association, other partners in Get ME Ready include the City of Portland, the American Red Cross of Southern Maine, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

Mike Mason, Regional Director of Emergency Services for the American Red Cross of Southern Maine, brought an example of a Get ME Ready Kit. Mason stated, "Getting ready for an emergency doesn't have to be overwhelming, time consuming, or expensive. It starts by building a kit of the essentials, like food, water, medicine, and safety supplies. This sort of simple preparation can make a big difference should the unexpected happen."

Pettingill concluded, "Flooding, ice storms, the flu. Are you ready to help your family in an emergency? It takes more than duct tape, so it's time to get ready. Build a kit. Make a plan. Be informed. Go to getMEready.org."

Happy New Year!

The new year is here and many people are waking up late this morning, some perhaps a bit later than others, having made resolutions during the evening's revelry that they may have already forgotten. What's yours?

If you are on this site and reading this, then I'll bet your resolutions are a bit different from the typical "lose weight," "quit smoking," or "get in better shape" variety. My resolution for 2010 is a continuation of one that I have had for more than 10 years now - to help organizations and individuals know what to do when "what if?" happens to them.

Towards that end, I've commited significant resources to spreading the word about readiness in the coming year. We've scheduled a 28-city Elevate Your Readiness North American Tour to equip thousands of organizations with the tools and knowledge needed to improve their odds of surviving a crisis. And were putting the finishing touches on the redesigned Family Preparedness Edition of The Disaster Game to help families and individuals do the same.

If you would like some tips and advice to help your own preparedness efforts, contact me for a free PDF copy of the Simple Steps Guide to Family Preparedness. It may help you jump start your readiness resolutions for 2010 and, by sharing it with you, help me continue to move mine forward as well.

Happy New Year all,

Bill

Preppin 101 - Part 4 - The Purpose of Shelter

Re-post Courtesy of Riverwalker's Stealth Survival

All the various types of shelters serve three basic purposes. The fact that you won’t have all the comforts of home should be a part of your survival mindset. There is some psychological value to certain styles but most any type of shelter will ultimately satisfy your emotional needs. There may be a need for protection from animals, etc. but the primary purpose of a survival shelter is to protect your body from the adverse effects of the weather.

It is the effects of hypothermia, which is caused by the loss of body heat, which causes the majority of deaths in survival situations. Being able to make or build a good shelter is crucial.

A good shelter prevents this in the three following ways:

1.) It creates a space to shelter your body from the adverse effects of weather.

2.) It creates a space that can be heated by your body or an alternate source of heat.

3.) It creates a sense of security by making you feel more secure and protected.

People with no skills have sometimes survived in circumstances where others with a great deal of survival knowledge have died. A lack of creativity and the inability to improvise may be the real culprits. Sometimes a little understanding of the principles involved and a willingness to think and observe your surroundings can be just as important as specific skills.

Look at what is available, and consider how you can use it. The ability to improvise will help you to survive. In a survival situation, a shelter that can keep you warm and dry and imparts a sense of security becomes crucial. Check your surroundings carefully. Is there anything which can be used to create a shelter? Consider the available materials around you in terms of how you can use them for the purpose of making or building a shelter.

Creativity, an ability to improvise, and good powers of observation can be your keys to survival, no matter what your circumstances. Being able to create a shelter out of what is available can make a world of difference in your chances for survival. The best survival shelter is the one that works for your situation!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Preppin’ 101 - Part 3 - Health - Eating the Rainbow

Re-post Courtesy of Riverwalker's Stealth Survival

Have you ever tried eating the rainbow? It is not an actual diet, but refers to choosing foods that are the colors of the rainbow. By including fruits and vegetables that are the colors of the rainbow in your daily diet, you can assure yourself of the proper servings of fruits and vegetables in order to maintain good health. Fruits and vegetables come in different colors and each of the different colors gives us different types of vitamins and nutrients. Eating the full rainbow of foods on a daily basis helps give your body the essential nutrients that it needs. These nutrients help strengthen your immune system and help to prevent or lessen the risk of certain diseases. What color is your food?

The Color Red

Red fruits and vegetables improve your memory, help to maintain a healthy heart, and lower the risks of some types of cancers.

Sources include red apples, cranberries, red grapes, pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon, grapefruit, tomatoes, radishes, red peppers and red onions.

The Color Blue

Blue fruits and vegetables help fight the effects of aging, help to improve urinary tract function, and can also reduce the risk of some types of cancers.

Sources include raisins, blackberries, plums, purple grapes, eggplant and purple cabbage.

The Color White

White fruits and vegetables help lower cholesterol levels and improve the health of your heart.

Sources include bananas, white nectarines, white peaches, garlic, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions and potatoes.

The Color Green

Green fruits and vegetables help maintain good vision, work to build strong bones and teeth and are good sources of antioxidants.

Sources include green apples, green grapes, kiwi fruit, honeydew melon, avocado, broccoli, spinach, zucchini, lettuce, celery and asparagus.

The Color Yellow / Orange

Yellow or orange fruits and vegetables help strengthen your immune system.

Sources include yellow apples, apricots, cantaloupe, oranges, peaches, nectarines, mangoes, pineapple, yellow peppers, pumpkin, sweet corn, lemons and sweet potatoes.


Along with regular exercise, eating properly is one of the best ways to maintain your health. Eating the rainbow will help create a healthier lifestyle. It is something you can do on a regular basis without a lot of extra effort.


Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker