This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Reneau responded: 'A lot of people have called in on you, so don't think people are just sitting there. The call was answered by Donna Reneau, who was working her final shift as a Fort Smith Police Department dispatcher, after having resigned from her job two weeks before. Debra Stevens, 47, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, died after her SUV got stuck in a flash flood while she was delivering newspapers. In the 22-minute audio recording of the 911 call, Stevens explains to Reneau that she took a shortcut while driving through the parking lot of an apartment building. He said this emphasizes the need for more telecommunication training. "I sure will., Reneau, who was working her final shift after giving her notice two weeks notice, told Stevens that authorities will get there when they get there and that she's not going to die, at one point telling her to "shut up. Stevens later drowned. Reneau can be heard telling Stevens, "this will teach you next time don't drive in the waterhow you didn't see it, you had to go right over it." In the report, Pitts wrote Reneaus actions wouldnt have merited being fired and that its often necessary to take a stern or commanding tone, or to even raise ones voice when dealing with someone who may be hysterical in a critical incident. jorge ghosn wikipdia; rver que sa belle soeur est enceinte; era immobilier olho Reneau scolded her for not being more careful and for not knowing the area. Reneau also suggested dispatchers get a distress break after taking a high-stress call. 'You're not the only one who has been stuck in the water. Police acknowledged the 911 call sounded 'calloused and uncaring at times' but insisted that 'sincere efforts' were made to try and located Stevens. FORT SMITH, Ark. 5.16am: Rescue boat arrives and is launched. 4.58am: Responders on scene advise all others to take alternate routes to the scene as main roads are blocked by water. But Reneau's handling of the dying woman's call has opened a . Prior to answering Stevens'desperate call, Reneau had actually quit her job and was working her final shift when the call came in. They said the 911 operator had dispatched Fort Smith Fire and Police units to help her but it made it difficult because she couldn't describe her exact location. Every police officer on duty is busy on other calls. "You go ahead and start off the prayer, and I'll listen to you," Reneau responds. The Arkansas 911 dispatcher who scolded a woman crying on the phone before she drowned will not face criminal charges, an internal investigation ruled. She also said another reason for her leaving was she felt like there was no way to "move up" within the department. (Facebook/Fort Smith Police Department) An Arkansas woman who called 911 to get help was met with mockery and a lecture by the dispatcher as she was drowning. "I do forgive her, even though it's hard," said Rebeca. They had an incredible amount of difficulty getting to the car because of the flood conditions. called 911 on his parents for making him eat a salad. 'You're not going to die. Dispatcher begins gathering information. A woman in Arkansas drowned in floodwaters shortly after getting on the phone with an emergency dispatcher who scolded her for driving during the storm. "How Mrs. Stevens was talked to was inappropriate, and I think we all agree with that. Reneau faced no criminal charges in Stevens death. 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Ortega For Dailymail.com Baker ordered the review even though the caller chose not to file a formal complaint against the dispatcher, according to a Fort Smith Police Department news release. A 911 operator who lectured a drowning woman for accidentally driving into rising floodwaters in Arkansas and told her to 'shut up' minutes before she died will not be facing charges after an internal investigation. Reneau does not face any criminal charges in Stevens' death. Furious motorist is fined 650 after council worker paints disabled bay around his parked car. An external investigation by an outside agency is also taking place. There were nine officers and four 911 dispatchers on duty at the time. Luke Kenton For Dailymail.com I'm going to drown! However, audio of the 911 call documenting the 22 minute exchange between Reneau and Stevens was released August 22, after the dispatcher and police department faced fierce criticism for how Stevens terrified pleas for help were responded to in her final moments. Would love your thoughts, please comment. By Donna Reneau was working her final shift on August 24 with the Fort Smith Police Department when she received a frantic call (listen below) from Debra Stevens, 47, after suddenly finding herself trapped in rising flood waters and fearing for her very life. In the 911 recording . In the video above: Severe floodwaters hit Arkansas Watch the latest news and stream for free on 7plus >> But seven months later, she would become known for telling drowning woman Debra Stevens to "shut up". Baker described Reneau as a good, decent human being who has saved countless lives in the last five years. ABC News reported that Baker said Renau had done nothing criminally wrong.. For five years, she worked as a 911 dispatcher and she was so good at her job that she was actually certified to help other people, too. The. glasfiberpool installation. I don't know why you're freaking out. 'To know you have helped someone that needed it gives you a great feeling. Girl, 2, looks star-struck as she presents Kate with a gift of Daffodils for St David's Mike Tindall's latest money-making scheme! Responders begin trying to get to vehicle, donning life vests and ropes. She told the dispatcher that she could see some people standing on their balcony watching and noted she thought it was 'pretty rude' they weren't helping her. Donna Reneau worked her final shift as a 9-1-1 dispatcher that morning, having given her two-week notice already. "She was brokenhearted.". However, she was once billed by superiors as a dedicated operator who always does an outstanding job, as part of a glowing Facebook post during National Telecommunicators Week in April 2018. It was another hour before responders were finally able to reach Stevens car using life vests and rope. Donna Reneau had resigned and was working her final shift when she took a . I dont want to die, she said. The 911 call was in EXCESS of 20 minutes. Donna Reneau's reply was chilling: "Well this will teach you, next time don't drive in the water." Minutes later, with the police still unable to locate the vehicle in the 4:00am darkness and the waste-deep flood, and with 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau still seemingly unaware of the urgency of the situation, the cell connection was lost. Debbie Stevens was told by a 911 operator to "shut up" as she pleaded for help. At one point, amid Stevens' cries and pleas for help, Reneau told her, "You're not gonna die, I don't know why you're freaking out She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. Stevens repeatedly told the dispatcher that she was going to die because the water was rising up past her chest and had engulfed the inside of her SUV. Donna Reneau, who had resigned and was working her final shift as a Fort Smith Police Department dispatcher, was the person to answer Stevens' call at 4.38am . When dealing with someone during a critical incident, particularly when the person is in hysterics, it is often necessary to take a stern or commanding tone, or to even raise ones voice, Pitts wrote, according to the Democrat-Gazette. Reneau faced no criminal charges in Stevens death. The dispatcher, Donna Reneau, repeatedly told a sobbing Ms. Stevens to calm down. By Rebecca Jane Stokes Written on May 24, 2020. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to benefit Stevens' husband, Marcus Stevens. Sopranos star John Ventimiglia's daughter Odele dead at 25: Family is 'heartbroken' by her passing just Boris Johnson lands 500k advance for his eagerly-awaited memoir covering his time as Prime Minister. I don't know why you're freaking out. So now he is demanding an apology. Third-shift supervisors do have a supervisor, but the supervisor works first-shift and Reneau said he was not available if dispatchers needed him. During the 22-minute-long call at 4.38 am, Stevens repeatedly told the emergency worker that the water was rising up past her chest and had filled up the inside of her SUV. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Stevens, 47, drowned as she begged Reneau to send someone to rescue her. Congratulations to Donna Reneau for being selected as the Fire Dispatcher of the Year! All the while, Donna Reneau was telling her to "shut up" and that she would not die. (KFSM) New information has been released about a former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher criticized for her interactions with a drowning woman. Stevens repeatedly told the dispatcher that she was going to die because the water was rising up past her chest and had engulfed the inside of her SUV. She intentional inflicted pain on another human being. Operator Donna Reneau took that call at 4:38am. Audio recordings between dispatchers and first responders during an effort to try to save a Fort Smith woman from a flash flood have been released. When you call 911, you aren't often worried about being Miss Manners. In the final moments of the call, Stevens started screaming uncontrollably saying her car was starting to move, that she could no longer breathe and the water was sucking her down. Meanwhile, the department's investigation into the matter is ongoing. 'I have worked at the FSPD for almost 5 yrs now and truly care about my job and the people I talk to on a daily basis', Reneau says. Authorities said that when they did eventually locate her, rising waters made an immediate rescue impossible. Reneau could be heard telling Stevens to stop crying and calm down. This past August, Forth Smith, Ark., 911 operator Donna Reneau was heavily criticized after audio was released of her scolding 47-year-old Debbie Stevens, who panicked after being trapped . She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. Stevens called 911 . 5NEWS has obtained an exit interview. Hopefully, the changes they make to their policies get them back in the good graces of the people. I'm gonna drown,'" Diane recalled. 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Donna Reneau was working her final shift on August 24 when she received a frantic call from Debra Stevens, 47, having given in her notice two weeks earlier. Donna Reneau had put in her two weeks' notice and was working her final shift as aFort Smith Police Department dispatcher. 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift after putting in her two weeks . Quoted as part of the post, Reneau brags about how much she values the work that she does and cares about those in need who call in for help. FORT SMITH, Ark. 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working . 'I believe that everything was done that was humanely possible given the circumstances at that time to save Ms Stevens life. Stevens eventually drowned. Is there maybe things we need to look at in our response? This petition starter stood up and took action. She was also heard in the call telling Stevens to "shut up.". Authorities said that when they did eventually locate her, rising waters made an immediate rescue impossible. 'I have worked at the FSPD for almost 5 yrs now and truly care about my job and the people I talk to on a daily basis', Reneau says. (KFSM) A former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher accused of mishandling a call with a drowning woman has been cleared of wrongdoing following . Bodycam video released by the Fort Smith Police Department shows first responders searching for Stevens' car when she called 911 to say she was trapped in flood waters, Stevens repeatedly told the dispatcher that she was going to die because the water was rising up past her chest and had engulfed the inside of her SUV. "I don't see how you didn't see it, you had to go right over it, so.". The audio of the 911 call was. Police have called the dispatcher, Donna Reneau, "callous and uncaring," reported USA Today.. Stevens called at around 4:30 a.m. and said that she was in an emergency situation. 11K views 3 years ago August 24th Debra Stevens called 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau. Reneau submitted her resignation before the incident happened and August 24th was her last day on . Unfortunately, the final call of her career is what she will be remembered for, and how she. When Stevens explained that she hadnt seen the water coming before her car was swept up in it, Reneau made no attempt to mask her disbelief. They just weren't able to get to her on time, Mitchell said. Donna Marie Reneau, who previously was 'dispatcher of the year' at the Fort Smith Police Department, resigned Aug. 23, the same day she scolded drowning victim Debra Stevens during a. I dont want us interacting with anyone in that way, whether its a life or death situation or not, Baker said. Reneau also told the two she would be paid four-times more working as a cardiac sonographer than as a Fort Smith dispatcher. Reneau was on her last day as a 911 operator when the call was made, having turned in her notice two weeks earlier. 4:01 pm. A paper delivery woman who drove into a flooded area drowned after being reprimanded by a now-former 911 dispatcher. So calm down'. - A former 911 dispatcher in Arkansas was cleared of any wrongdoing in how she handled a call in which she scolded a panicking woman for driving into floodwaters before she drowned. According to a statement from the Fort Smith Police Department, the dispatcher, identified as Donna Reneau by local media, was working her last shift as a 911 dispatcher and dispatch trainer when she answered the call early Saturday morning. Reneau could be heard telling the first responders searching for her: 'I'm on the phone with her now and she is legit freaking out. Police acknowledged the 911 call sounded 'calloused and uncaring at times' but insisted that 'sincere efforts' were made to try and located Stevens. See for yourself by trying this new quiz devised by cardiologists One in five teenage boys or their friends have been offered work supplying drugs by county lines gangs who Head over heels for Kate! The comments below have not been moderated. 4.54am: Police/fire report difficulty locating vehicle. When first responders were finally able to reach Stevens and remove her from her car, she had already drowned. Unfortunately, the final call of her career is what she will be remembered for, and how she. Debbie Stevens, 47, pictured left was on her regular newspaper route when a flash flood swept up her car. Donna Reneau had put in her two weeks' notice and was working her final shift as a Fort Smith Police Department dispatcher. Dispatcher Donna Reneau from the Fort Smith Police Department had given her two-weeks notice and was working her very last shift when 47-year-old Debra Stevens called in. Reneau had worked for the Fort Smith Police Department for five years, serving as a certified trainer for new employees, and was named fire dispatcher of the year in February, according to. I don't know how you didn't see it, you had to go right over it. Police Chief Danny Baker at the time said he could completely understand the 'disgust and concern' people have had over the interaction between the dispatcher and Stevens. 5NEWS has obtained an exit interview Donna Reneau had with the Fort Smith Police Department four days after the incident. ", The department received hundreds of phone calls saying Reneau was disrespectful for scolding Stevens as she sobbed and asked for help and for telling her this will teach you next time dont drive in the water., Debra Stevens, 47, pictured left was on her regular newspaper route when a flash flood swept up her car. "I've never had anything happen like this before. She makes me sick. 'Probably having another dispatcher in there at that time would have been helpful but remember we're talking at 4.30 in the morning so getting folks down there to assist with dispatch would have been difficult', Baker said. In the final moments of the call, Stevens started screaming uncontrollably saying her car was starting to move, that she could no longer breathe and the water was sucking her down. The recording (edited to remove sensitive content) was released by the Fort Smith Police Department in an effort to remain as transparent as possible regarding events that transpired during Stevens failed rescue. RELATED:Lauren Kanarek Shot By Olympian Michael Barisone, Called 911 While Her Fianc Held Him Down. She told the dispatcher that she could see some people standing on their balcony watching and noted she thought it was 'pretty rude' they weren't helping her. Published August 31, 2019. Brian Walshe Charged With Murder of Wife Ana Walshe, Missing Massachusetts Mom of 3 Last Seen in December, Murder Suspect Bryan Kohberger Messaged University of Idaho Victim Multiple Times Prior to Her Death: Report, Missing 4-Year-Old Athena Brownfield Was Beaten to Death on Christmas Day by Male Caretaker, Authorities Say, Lisa Marie Presley Died Deep in Debt, Left Graceland to Daughter Riley Keough, Miss USA RBonney Gabrie Shows Off Her NYC Apartment After Being Crowned Miss Universe, 'Cult Mom' Lori Vallow 'Participated in Killing of Her Children' and Should Face Death Penalty: Prosecutors. JAMIE MITCHELL/AP. Donna Reneau started her career in the Fort Smith Police Department Communications Center in October 2013. 'Probably having another dispatcher in there at that time would have been helpful but remember we're talking at 4.30 in the morning so getting folks down there to assist with dispatch would have been difficult,' Baker said. A date has not been set for a memorial service for Stevens. FORT SMITH, Ark. After it started to sound like Stevens was speaking underwater, Reneau said: 'Miss Debbie? "The 911 call came in at 4:38 a.m. and was answered by Donna Reneau, who had previously turned in her two . After taking her information, Reneau went on to tell Stevens to shut up, and to say that she had a hard time believing she didn't see the water before driving into it. The. When asked what would better work conditions at the police department Reneau said she wanted to answer with a quote. 5.02am: Responders report they have located the vehicle. Female carer who bit off part of a pub landlady's ear during vicious bar brawl is jailed for 14 months. Stevens, 47, drowned as she. 11K views 3 years ago August 24th Debra Stevens called 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau. I have worked at the FSPD for almost 5 yrs now and truly care about my job and the people I talk to on a daily basis, Reneau says. Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker revealed Thursday that Donna Reneau (pictured) was working her final shift on August 24 when she received a frantic call from Debra Stevens, 47, having given in her notice two weeks earlier, Reneau, who had resigned and was working her final shift as a Fort Smith Police Department dispatcher, was the person to answer Stevens' (pictured) call at 4.38am, Reneau, who worked at the Fort Smith PD for nearly six years, was billed by superiors as a dedicated operator who always does an outstanding job, as part of a glowing Facebook post during National Telecommunicators Week in April 2018. Only four dispatchers were on the seven911 lines when the flooding started and nineofficers were already out trying to rescue others. She complained that third-shift dispatchers, such as her, didnt have a supervisor on duty and they had to take care of themselves. Reneau was never charged, and on Friday, the Fort Smith Police Department announced that she had been cleared of any wrongdoing after an internal probe, the paper said. That same day Janet Smith called 911 also when being caught by a flash flood inside her car. To leave an online tribute, visitwww.edwardsfuneralhome.com. and She was also heard in the call telling Stevens to "shut up.". Donna Reneau was working her final shift on August 24 when she received a frantic call from Debra Stevens, 47, having given in her notice two weeks earlier. So calm down'. ', Stevens eventually asked the dispatcher to pray with her while she waited for first responders to arrive and Reneau replied: 'You go ahead and start the prayer. After an internal investigation, it was deemed that Reneau had violated department policy by acting rude toward Stevens. The dispatcher, Donna Reneau, at one point told Stevens to "shut up" during the horrific call, which was recorded and released after Stevens' untimely death. A frantic Debbie Stevens sobbed as she was on the phone with an operator in Arkansas while she was trapped in a flash flood on the morning of Aug. 24. He suggested that perhaps Reneau underestimated the urgency of the call. According to the news release, When first responders were finally able to reach Mrs. Stevens and extract her from the vehicle, she had tragically succumbed to drowning., Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker says the dispatcher that took the 911 of Debra Stevens is not employed with the city anymore. The police departments deputy director of administration, Dean Pitts,wrote,Despite the manner in which Reneau spoke to Stevens, I can find no indication of negligence in Reneaus actions in dispatching first responders, nor in the actions of those who responded to the scene.. Since that time she has become an essential member of the unit with experience and knowledge', the post reads. The 911 call came in at 4:38 a.m. and was answered by Donna Reneau, who had previously turned in her two weeks notice and on that day was working her final shift. Also exacerbating response and rescue efforts were the facts that Mrs. Stevens was having trouble describing her exact location and flooding limited the ability of first responders to reach her, said a press releaseissued by the police. Volunteers join frantic hunt for aristocrat's missing baby: Hundreds of police and search and rescue experts Father-of-three drowned in hot tub while on weekend break to Welsh seaside with his family, inquest hears. Stevens can be heard asking the dispatcher at one point in the call. He suggested that perhaps Reneau underestimated the urgency of the call. Thanks for contacting us. Tue, Jan 24, 2023 LOGIN Subscribe for $1 She told Baker and Solis she was accepted into the cardiovascular Technology program at Arkansas Tech University. He said the police department would be investigating its policies into responses and their dispatch center in the wake of Stevens' death. She hasn't been charged with any crime. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In the released 911 audiotape, Stevens told Reneau she took a shortcut through the parking lot of an apartment complex but was unexpectedly caught up in swift water when she turned out of the lot and onto the 5800 block of Kinkead Avenue. The woman's call was answered by dispatcher Donna Reneau (pictured above), who was working her last shift as a 911 operator after she resigned earlier this month. Until August 2019, Reneau had an extremely stressful job. ", "Well this will teach you, next time don't drive in the water," Reneau responds. - A former 911 dispatcher in Arkansas was cleared of any wrongdoing in how she handled a call in which she scolded a panicking woman for driving into floodwaters before she drowned. Baker acknowledged Reneau would have faced disciplinary action if she still worked with the department but said he couldn't see anything that would have been cause for termination or a criminal investigation. DONNA RENEAU. Authorities responded to the scene 12 minutes after Stevens dialed 911, but it took more than an hour to reach Stevens' vehicle because of the floodwaters. An internal investigation by the Fort Smith police department found that Donna Reneau performed her duties as required, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. Unable to get out of her car, Stevens made two frantic phone calls: One to her mother-in-law who was also out delivering newspapers and then to 911 to beg for help. 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