Several police and sheriff vehicles and ambulances could be spotted Thursday morning outside the Beeland Park Recreational Center building. There was no emergency or crime taking place at the facility, however.

The occasion was the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce’s First Responders’ Breakfast. Men and women from the Greenville Police Department, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville Fire Department, GEMS Ambulance Service and some of the county volunteer fire departments came to enjoy a hearty Hardee’s breakfast of eggs, grits, biscuits, sausage and bacon with coffee and orange juice to wash it all down.

“We just appreciate so much what all these people do from day to day to protect and serve and to save lives, sometimes by putting their own lives on the line,” said Francine Wasden, GACOC director.

“This breakfast is our way of saying ‘thank you for a job well done.’”

In additional to the country-style breakfast, attendees had the chance to get information on higher education opportunities offered through Faulkner University’s special programs for first responders.

Faires Austin, admissions counselor and recruiter for graduate and adult enrollment at the university, was on hand to answer questions and share handouts on executive and professional programs, financial aid opportunities and more available at Faulkner.

“We do offer 50 percent off classes online for first responders and office staff . . . also, we are looking at having classes here starting in January at LBW Community College,” said Austin.

Faulkner, a private Christian university offering associate, bachelor and graduate programs, is based in Montgomery with additional campuses in Mobile, Birmingham and Huntsville. According to Austin, the school offers its non-traditional students the opportunity to take all classes online for some of its courses of study. Faulkner also offers a hybrid format that is a combination of courses offered in a traditional classroom setting at one of their four campuses or partner locations (such as LBWCC-Greenville) and online.

“We are very proud that U.S. News and World Report named our law trial advocacy group number 17 in the entire nation,” said Austin.

For additional information about Faulkner University’s programs,  visit www.faulkner.edu or call (334) 386-7140.