I'm horribly sorry that it wasn't possible'. "We all heard that. Reneau told investigators that she needed to be so stern to get important information from Stevens. 5.16am: Rescue boat arrives and is launched. 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. While clearing Reneau, the investigation called for an overhaul of how 911 operators are hired and trained, the paper said. When asked what would better work conditions at the police department Reneau said she wanted to answer with a quote. She had submitted her two-weeks' notice in early August. When Stevens said she needed to vomit, Reneau hit back saying: 'Well you're in water, you can throw up it's not going to matter. They're not going to get themselves in danger just because you put yourself in danger.'. 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 An internal. Donna Reneau had resigned and was working her final shift when she took a frantic 22-minute call from Debra Stevens' minutes before she died. Stevens repeatedly apologized to the dispatcher, saying she didn't even see the water before she drove into it and that she had never done anything like this before. 5.02am: Responders report they have located the vehicle. When asked why she was leaving her position at the police department, Reneau said she wanted to return to school. Authorities said that when they did eventually locate her, rising waters made an immediate rescue impossible. The review concluded that she had done her jobas required. Stevens explained on the call that she was trapped in her car and that the water flooding the interior was already up to her chest and to make matters worse, she couldn't swim. Since Reneau no longer works for the. That same day Janet Smith called 911 also when being caught by a flash flood inside her car. Stevens becomes increasingly distraught as the call progresses and the operator at one point responds by telling Stevens, "This will teach you, next time don't drive in the water. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. Police acknowledged the 911 call sounded 'calloused and uncaring at times' but insisted that 'sincere efforts' were made to try and located Stevens. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Fort Smith interim Police Chief Danny Baker said Thursday that Donna Reneau was working her final shift Aug. 24 when Debra Stevens died. Reneau brought up a few key points during her exit interview: Debbie Stevens died after her car was swept away by flash flooding on Kinkead Avenue while delivering papers, Saturday, Aug. 24. Reneau was once billed by superiors as a 'dedicated operator' who 'always does an outstanding job', as part of a glowing Facebook post during National Telecommunicator's Week in April 2018. So calm down'. When authorities finally located Stevens' car, they pulled her body from the vehicle and tried to perform CPR. "The 911 call came in at 4:38 a.m. and was answered by Donna Reneau, who had previously turned in her two . "We'll get you help and get you out of there." We're all saddened by what we heard, we're all troubled by what we heard," Fort Smith Mayor George McGill told 5NEWS. She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. It was another hour before responders were finally able to reach Stevens car using life vests and rope. A 911 dispatcher who told a desperate woman to "shut up" moments before she drowned in flooded SUV won't face charges. 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. She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. . Debbie Stevens, 47, pictured left was on her regular newspaper route when a flash flood swept up her car. JAMIE MITCHELL/AP. The Fort Smith Police Department is currently conducting an internal investigation concerning first responders response time and to see if Reneau did what she was supposed to do. Stevens had been delivering. Operator Donna Reneau took that call at 4:38am. Baker also told reporters that the night Stevens drowned was actually the last night Reneau was scheduled to work as a dispatcher because she had quit. 4.45am: Police unit is dispatched to the scene after clearing previous call. '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. She also stated that she liked the family-oriented atmosphere. The comments below have not been moderated. He said this emphasizes the need for more telecommunication training. Stevens screamed as the water level crept up inside her car, which was stranded in floodwater. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to benefit Stevens' husband, Marcus Stevens. Reneau said, "The ability to help people in a time of an emergency." I know the water level is high but you freaking out is doing nothing but losing your oxygen so calm down,' Reneau said in the audio. I'm going to drown!" 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. When Stevens called, the Fort Smith Police Department staff was stretched thin. 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. There were nine officers and four 911 dispatchers on duty at the time. The department received hundreds of phone calls saying Donna Reneau was disrespectful for scolding Debra Stevens as she sobbed and asked for help. https://t.co/FqdZG2W6zZ pic.twitter.com/nlO9WLILcP, FOX 32 News (@fox32news) August 31, 2019. Reneau had resigned from the department prior to this incident, . accusations that she mishandled a call with a drowning woman, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Donna Reneau was working her last shift as a dispatcher for the Fort Smith Police Department on Aug. 24 when she received a call from Debra Stevens, according to KFTA-TV. 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. However, audio of the 911 call documenting the 22 minute exchange between Reneau and Stevens was released August 29, after the dispatcher and police department faced fierce criticism for how Steven's terrified pleas for help were responded to in her final moments. We are looking at what we can do to increase training for our dispatchers, swift water rescues, and other things.. 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 of Arkansas was named the Fire Dispatcher of the Year in February 2019. Do you really care about your brand-new phone? Reneau asked, Youre over there crying for your life. Then, when Stevens says that she is afraid that her car will explode because she sees smoke, Reneau responds, How? 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. Pictured above is dashcam video of authorities searching for her car. 06:54 GMT 23 Dec 2019 Comprendre La Gamme Pentatonique, https images ght bo fr hia clermont tonnerre, chute verticale avec frottement exercices, cours de communication professionnelle ppt, test antignique moins douloureux que pcr, Tisane Hibiscus Mlisse Feuille De Mrier Bienfait, american pie : campus en folie personnage. Unfortunately, in the process, she got trapped by flash flooding. 4.38am: 911 call received. 'Am I not on the phone with you trying to get you some help?' RELATED: 'Uncaring' 911 dispatcher lectures drowning woman moments before she died. I CANT BREATHE!, Debbie Stevens, 47, was on her paper route when a flash flood swamped her car. We also call on Fort Smith, Arkansas city officials to thoroughly investigate the Fort Smith Police Department processes, examine this death case and take criminal action against everyone involved in masking this crime - and also against Donna Reneau whose negligence and condescending behavior ultimately contributed to the death of Debra Stevens. 5.00am: 911 call is disconnected between caller and dispatch. 5.02am: Responders report they have located the vehicle. I know the water level is high but you freaking out is doing nothing but losing your oxygen so calm down', Reneau said in the audio. "I'm scared. called 911 on his parents for making him eat a salad. Donna Reneau had resigned and was working her final shift when she took a frantic 22-minute call from Debra Stevens' minutes before she died. Ralph R. 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On August 24, Stevens called 911 at 4:38 a.m. and told Reneau shed been delivering newspapers for the Southwest Times Record when a flash flood washed her SUV off the road. 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. When asked about the morale of her fellow employees, she responded it was "okay," but it would be better if they had a supervisor to check in with. 4.41am: Fire department is dispatched to the scene. In 2019, 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau mocked and told Debbie Stevens, who was trapped in her car and drowning from floodwaters, to "shut up.". Reneau also suggested dispatchers get a distress break after taking a high-stress call. Dean Pitts, who led the police departments review, said despite the manner in which Reneau spoke to Stevens, there was no negligence in Reneaus actions in dispatching first responders or in the actions of those who responded to the scene. The first crews arrived on the scene about ten minutes later but had difficulty identifying Stevens exact location due to the high waters. 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 said the floodwaters had picked up the SUV up and the vehicle was starting to move. 5.16am: Rescue boat arrives and is launched. 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working . Her emergency call appeared to annoy 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau, who decided to lecture Stevens. 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 . Absolutely,' he said. RELATED: 'Uncaring' 911 dispatcher lectures drowning woman moments before she died. Unfortunately, in the process, she got trapped by flash flooding. Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift after previously resigning, answered Stevens call for help and at times she can be heard yelling at her before she drowns. 5 Debra's last moments were captured in a chilling 22-minute phone call Credit: Facebook (KFSM) A former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher accused of mishandling a call with a drowning woman has been cleared of wrongdoing following . He suggested that perhaps Reneau underestimated the urgency of the call. Stevens, 47, had. She says the vehicle is now moving in the water. She couldve been deemed to have broken human resource standards if shed still been an employee but nothing to merit a measure of discipline as strict as termination, Pitts wrote. Stressful start to National Offer Day? Please help me. The dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working her final shift after giving her notice two weeks earlier according to the Fort Smith Police Department, replied flippantly telling her. Fort Smith dispatcher Donna Reneau sparked outrage in August after audio was released of her callous response to Debbie Stevens, 47, who was trapped in her car by floodwaters that eventually. 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. Luke Kenton For Dailymail.com I dont want to die, Stevens tells the operator, identified as Donna Reneau, in the released call. Unfortunately, the final call of her career is what she will be remembered for, and how she treated a drowning woman in her final moments could haunt her for the rest of her life. Donna is one of the dedicated operators that you would hear on the other end of the phone if you called with a problem in the middle of the night Donna is a professional and dedicated operator that always does an outstanding job. "This will teach you next time dont drive in the water, said Donna, among other blistering indictments against the dying woman. 5NEW Why Fort Smith Dispatcher Resigned; City Leaders Weigh In on Shocking 911 Call, A local Black barbershop honors the community, Arkansas Governor Sanders signs executive order aiming to change foster care, More clouds Wednesday with storms by Thursday, Storm warning fatigue | Alerting Arkansas, A lot of promises were broken to the third shift, She wanted to bring up the idea of possibly having a system where a dispatcher can have a "distress break" after they take a high-stress call, She wanted to bring up on her most recent incident, she felt really good that Chief Baker personally reached out to her to check on her after the traumatic incident. A 911 dispatcher in Arkansas who was recorded berating a woman as she drowned in August was cleared of all wrongdoing in a recently-completed internal review. That said, he believes it is just people lashing out because they are upset and thatthere isnt anything that would rise to a threat level of concern, as most appear to be from out-of-state and include no specificity.". Ralph R. Ortega For Dailymail.com Apparently, 911 is not here for the melodramatics of those in the grip of death at least not this (former) dispatcher. 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.. 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. Stevens, 47, drowned as she begged Reneau to send someone to rescue her. "I don't know why you are freaking out. (Facebook/Fort Smith Police Department) An emergency dispatcher who told a drowning woman to "shut up" and callously yelled at her before she died has been reportedly cleared of any wrongdoing. Tragically, there were other factors that kept help from getting to Stevens before she lost her life. Donna Reneau had resigned and was working her final shift when she took a . Stevens asked Reneau if the police would take her home after she was rescued so she could care for her dogs. Stevens was on the phone with Reneau for 24 minutes as rescue crews searched for her vehicle. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. Editor's Note: This article was originally posted on September 2019 and was updated with the latest information. Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift after previously resigning, answered Steven's call for help and at times she can be heard yelling at her before she drowns. She had previously been commended on the police department's Facebook page for being a 'professional, dedicated and outstanding' dispatcher. An external investigation by an outside agency is also taking place. 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. Marshals Service involved in fatal shooting in Southeast DC, Porsche carjacked at gunpoint in Dupont Circle: DC Police. The dispatcher then apologized to her while laughing, she stated. Reneau responded. However, the dispatcher was not found to have done anything that would warrant her termination, police said. Luke Kenton For Dailymail.com Acting Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker said Donna Reneau was working her final shift when Debra Stevens died. ", "Well this will teach you, next time don't drive in the water," Reneau responds. 5.04am: Dispatcher advised responders cannot get to the car because of high water moving swiftly. Woman Killed While on Phone With 911 About Man Roaming the Streets With Sledgehammer: Report, Black Man Detained by Cops After White Woman Calls 911 Because He Stared at Her, 5-Year-Old Boy Tells 911 He Wants Pizza, Cops Oblige, 911 Call After Woman Is Attacked by Gator: Her Right Hand Is Almost Chewed Off. There were nine officers and four 911 dispatchers on duty at the time. 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 22-minutes 9-1-1 call, which she was thankful that Baker personally reached out to her to check on her after the traumatic incident. Stevens eventually drowned. and Stevens: "Please help me. The manner that she spoke during this conversation would have probably been addressed, but it would have been more a rudeness quality-type service complaint. For every one of us, saving lives is at the very core of who we are and why we do what we do. She was also heard in the call telling Stevens to "shut up.". He said the police department would be investigating its policies into responses and their dispatch center in the wake of Stevens' death. Thank you for your dedicated service Donna'! 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. DONNA RENEAU. Reneau had given her notice two weeks earlier. 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. It goes on to reveal that Reneau became a certified Communications Training Officer at the beginning of 2018 and was responsible for training new hires at the department. ", 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. 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. - 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. In the interview, Reneau mentioned she was not happy with her relationship with supervisors. The Arkansas 911 dispatcher who scolded a woman crying on the phone before she drowned will not face criminal charges, an internal investigation ruled. We call on Fort Smith Police Department and Fort Smith city officials to investigate and prosecute Donna Reneau for these crimes that led to this woman's death in failing to do her job. 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. She was also heard in the call telling Stevens to "shut up.". 4:01 pm. Reneau does not face any criminal charges in Stevens' death. She makes me sick. By Debbie Stevens (left) drowned on Aug. 24 while being scolded by 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau. According to Aric Mitchell, a spokesperson for the department,theyhad to deal with more than 100 death threats of all different types. - 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 said 911 had been inundated with calls at the time from people who were also stranded in flood waters. Pictured above is dashcam video of authorities searching for her car, 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. Female carer who bit off part of a pub landlady's ear during vicious bar brawl is jailed for 14 months. pic.twitter.com/gduzYnLada, Susan Morris (@SLMH93) August 30, 2019. 'You're not going to die. 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. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. Arkansas 911 Dispatcher Tells Woman To 'Shut Up' As She Drowns To Death, Lauren Kanarek Shot By Olympian Michael Barisone, Called 911 While Her Fianc Held Him Down, Awful New Details Revealed About The Teen Who Died After Being Crushed In A Parked Minivan Despite Calling 911 Twice, Groom Invites His Nephews To His Wedding But Excludes Brother's Stepdaughter Her Mom Is Debating Whether To Attend, What Jon Hamm Says Changed His Mind About Marriage After Swearing It Off During His 18-Year Relationship With Jennifer Westfeldt, Man Insists Landlords Should Get Tipped By Tenants If They're Going To Tip Baristas, New Details About A Baby Who Was Accidentally Locked Inside A Hot Car And Why A 911 Operator Refused To Send Police To Help. So calm down.'. When first responders were finally able to reach Stevens and remove her from her car, she had already drowned. Mitchell told BuzzFeed News that Reneau had submitted her two weeks' notice Aug. 9. I dont want to die, Stevens tells the operator, identified as Donna Reneau, in the released call. "She said, 'Please come help me, pull me out of the water, I'm stranded and I don't want to die today. 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. Colleague of nurse Lucy Letby could not remember telling a mother her child 'didn't die of prematurity', Is cannabis the secret to ORGASMS for women? Dispatcher begins gathering information. Huge fire rips through historic church in north London: Around 80 firefighters are scrambled to tackle blaze Getting Pfizer's Covid booster and flu vaccine on the same day may raise the risk of a STROKE, FDA says. A paper delivery woman who drove into a flooded area drowned after being reprimanded by a now-former 911 dispatcher. I'm sorry . "I do forgive her, even though it's hard," said Rebeca. 'You're not going to die. 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