Wayne Cruse is a graduate of Winnsboro High School, and attended both Northeast Louisiana University and Louisiana State University at Eunice.  He received an associate degree in Fire Science.

Upon graduating high school, Mr. Cruse pursued numerous jobs with a broad range of experience required and received.  Some of the jobs included carpenter helper, mechanic, traveling with a carnival, air conditioning repair, mobile home repair, and a bakery.  His career in the fire service started with employment at the Winnsboro Fire Department where he worked several years. Wayne learned of the LSU Fireman Training Program from the instructors that came to his department.  He began working for FETI in 1981.  He left the LSU Fireman Training Program and went to work for the Alexandria Fire Department as a training officer in 1992.  In 1995, Wayne returned to LSU Fire and Emergency Training.  Two years later, he became employed as a full time instructor.  Mr. Cruse is now responsible for teaching in northeast Louisiana.

Wayne is married to Phyllis and lives in Winnsboro, Louisiana.  They have five children and seven grandchildren.