Critical Information Network (CiNet) Launches to Provide eLearning Solutions to Public Safety, Healthcare and Industrial Operations Professionals

CiNet Acquires Industry-Leading Training Assets to Help Organizations Save Lives, Protect Critical infrastructure, and Improve Workplace Efficiency

Critical Information Network (CiNet), an emerging eLearning company serving customers across the public safety, healthcare and industrial operations sectors, announced today the formal launch of its business operations. CiNet has acquired industry-leading training networks that have served the needs of police officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, and other essential personnel for over 20 years. The seasoned management team, led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Norm Willox, is comprised of information solutions executives as well as former award-winning network television producers and multi-media industry professionals who saw an opportunity to improve training effectiveness by increasing the speed and efficiency of producing and delivering eLearning content.

“Advances in communications and information technology are fundamentally transforming the way teaching and learning now take place,” said Willox. “Our mission is to deliver world-class content to our customers when they need it, helping them increase safety, improve efficiency and maintain competitiveness in the global marketplace.”  

In today’s fast-paced work environments, there can be a lag time of months or even years before critical training information gets shared with front-line practitioners, which is often too late. Job responsibilities are constantly evolving, and organizations are struggling to create and retain knowledge with aging workforces and geographically dispersed personnel. The new administration has allocated $53 billion in stimulus funding for education and training initiatives, recognizing that the U.S. workforce needs to stay competitive in the global economy.  As a result, more and more professionals are embracing eLearning platforms to ensure they can deploy training content essential to maintaining certifications and licensing in economically sustainable ways. 

CiNet seeks to address customer needs through one of the world’s largest libraries of eLearning content, delivering solutions in compliance, safety, emergency preparedness, continuing education and workplace skill development. A key component of CiNet’s product platform is the ability to provide certification for thousands of corporate, industrial and government customers who successfully complete training courses. And content is delivered in time to be useful, through multiple delivery platforms, including a Web-based learning management system that can be accessed from any desktop, and an encrypted satellite network. 

 “First responders require timely, relevant training and emergency communications information to keep our nation safe,” said Dr. Scott Lillibridge, Director of the Center for Biosecurity and Public Health Preparedness at the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health. “CiNet develops systematic programs delivered through various media to best prepare trained professionals to respond to national emergencies – be they natural or man-made.”

CiNet partnered with The ComVest Group, a private investment firm, to acquire well recognized, industry-leading training brands such as FETN (Fire & Emergency Training Network), LETN (Law Enforcement Training Network), PSTN (Professional Security Training Network) and HSTN (Health & Science Training Network) from the company most recently known as TWL Corporation, capitalizing on significant investments made by the internationally recognized media and communications firms that have previously owned the company. For over twenty years, these brands have delivered high-quality training and education content to more than eight million professionals.  The partnership with ComVest ensures that CiNet is well capitalized and equipped to build upon the value these training brands have provided customers in the past.  In addition to Willox’s 25 years of information management leadership experience, CiNet boasts a strong and successful management team with a proven track record of creating and delivering value to customers in the industries CiNet now serves.       

In conjunction with enabling its business operations, CiNet recently launched its updated Web site where customers can continue to access the proven training brands they rely upon. The first version of criticalinfonet.com is currently live, and future versions will include Web 2.0 platforms to facilitate customer collaboration and information exchange. CiNet is evolving traditional learning approaches and adding innovative Web 2.0 functionality to the process, allowing customers to customize curricula from their desktops, and collaborate with peers on best practices.