Disaster Preparedness Part I

As I reflect on the recently passed 2017, I’m tallying those things that I am most grateful for.

One of them is my involvement with the California CPA (CalCPA) organization whose mission is to educate, build knowledge and foster excellence and advance individuals and the profession.

Last year we saw many “Calls to Action”, among them that prompted this article were the Santa Rosa and Southern California forest fires that created a lot of anxiety and caught many of us off guard and made the case for Disaster Preparedness.

Disasters are simply so disruptive to people that I feel it is our obligation as fellow citizens to help out.

As the fires raged near our San Jose office and then through Southern California in late October, I heard and answered the call for CalCPA members’ to help and provide California fire victims with pro bono tax and financial services. Time to step up and do our part for the Community.

The CalCPA organization 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 firefighters couldn’t; by providing expert financial disaster advice in the aftermath of the devastation.

I have known CalCPA members who have shown themselves to be dedicated to public service. We should 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.

In the end, 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, CalCPA members have come to help — offering pro bono financial disaster advice on everything from dealing with insurance companies to applying for government relief to managing property loss.

“I remember the Loma Prieta earthquake,” when asked why I 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, I received my first call 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.”

NOTE: When a wildfire, earthquake, or flood can affect folks like us and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) declares a disaster, you may you be eligible for certain tax and other benefits because of this.

Regardless, your safety comes first and it is a good idea to be prepared for a disaster beforehand. This is the first of a series of articles that I will help to explain and help you plan for something we all hope never happens.

---

Daniel Morris
Daniel frequently provides Media Content via Workshops, Podcasts and Printed Articles on topics like Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency, Wealth Preservation and Planning, Global Banking and many other high-level financial topics that serve and demonstrate the Value of our Global Network that should be of interest to those who need Private High-Wealth Services.

If you would like Daniel to speak to you or your Professional Group and bring clarity about the new frontier of Cyber Currency, please contact us.

Morris+D’Angelo is the industry leader for many High-Wealth Customers and Organizations.

707 SW Washington St., Suite 1100
Portland, Oregon, 97205

503.749.6300 – Portland Office
408.292.2892 – San Jose Office

---