In 2003 the Minneapolis Fire Department implemented a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program that also included the creation of a Citizen Corps Council for the City of Minneapolis. This research project evaluates the feasibility of training citizen in the City of Minneapolis to assist in disaster recovery.

This should then lead to a county wide implementation of a CERT and county fire departments' partnership.

CERT training (a primary program within the Citizen Corps program) is designed to prepare citizens to help themselves, their family, and their neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. It covers basic skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are not available.