California's heroes: [when disaster strikes, CalCPA members are ready to help].

• Position: Financial disaster advice - Related article: Before Disaster Strikes -- Be Prepared

As the fires raged through Southern California in late October, a radio news reporter, interested in CalCPA members' offers to provide fire victims with pro bono tax and financial services, queried, "Have you ever seen such a response from CPAs before?"

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While the sensational answer would have been, "No, this is simply phenomenal!" The truth is that while members' response to CalCPA's call for volunteers was phenomenal, it wasn't surprising.

"CalCPA members repeatedly have shown themselves to be dedicated to public service," says CalCPA CEO Susan Waters. "We applaud the volunteers who have come forward to aid the victims of the devastating Southern California fires. We also take our hats off to those members who have been counseling their clients who suffered losses as a result of the fires."

CalCPA Chair Steve Wimmers is just one of many members who have found themselves helping clients pick up the pieces. He tells how in the days following the most fierce fire devastation, a client of 20 years wandered into his office filled with sadness--and understandably depressed.

"He was able to grab only a few pictures and the clothes on his back before the fire destroyed his home and everything he owned," recalls Wimmers. "His was an unbelievable story. I tried to console him, and then offered him some advice. I referred to the disaster recovery kit provided by CalCPA as I advised him on how he should make an inventory of everything he lost, how he should deal with his insurance company and how he should reconstruct some of his records."

Wimmers, who lives and works in the San Diego area adds, "San Diego has suffered the worst disaster in its history, and it is impressive to see the number of CPAs who are willing to offer assistance to the victims of the fires."

ANSWERING THE CALL

CalCPA quickly issued a call for volunteers as the extent of the Southern California wildfires became apparent. CPAs from around the state volunteered their time to help victims in ways that fire-fighters and other local heroes couldn't--by providing expert financial disaster advice in the aftermath of the devastation.

The fires claimed 20 lives, burned more than 745,000 acres and destroyed almost 3,400 homes in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and San Diego counties.

But the physical losses tell only part of the story. Disasters take a serious financial toll on their victims.

Many families, and businesses, have lost everything--their homes, offices, personal belongings, vehicles, important tax and financial documents, and more. And while some consider themselves lucky--to have escaped with their lives, if nothing else--they face numerous challenges in the months ahead as they attempt to put their lives back together, piece by piece.

Fortunately for them, CalCPA members have come to their rescue--offering pro bono financial disaster advice on everything from dealing with insurance companies to applying for government relief to managing property loss.

Daniel D. Morris, a CPA from San Jose was among the first CalCPA members to volunteer. "I remember the Loma Prieta earthquake," reflects Morris, when asked why he chose to help those affected by fires hundreds of miles away. "I had a client at the epicenter of the Northridge quake, and another who lost everything but his house in the Canyon Fire of 2001--disasters are simply so disruptive to people that I feel it is our obligation as fellow citizens to help out."

As the fires began to die down, Morris received his first call. It was from a minister, looking to help a member of his church.

"I used [CalCPA's Volunteer Handbook] and reminded him to search for children, friends and relatives who might have pictures of family gatherings to help remember what they had ... that they must visualize each room and think about not only the big stuff, but the little stuff--from small tables, linens and knick-knacks--to outside items like tools and equipment. We reflected upon the importance of family and safety, and where these possessions fell in that pecking order."

Morris adds that during his brief call with the minister from San Bernardino they discussed the process of insurance reimbursements and paying of creditors.

"I told him that casualty losses in presidentially declared disaster areas can be used to offset either the current year or prior year income. Should the loss exceed that year's total income, then they should consult their tax adviser regarding the availability of net operating loss carryforwards and carrybacks," says Morris. "I gave him phone numbers and help numbers from the book--I told him where the nearest FTB office was."

TEAM EFFORT

In addition to rallying...