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. Reneau had submitted her resignation earlier in August and was on her last shift when Stevenss call came in. 4.38am: 911 call received. - 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. 5.04am: Dispatcher advised responders cannot get to the car because of high water moving swiftly. Stevens called 911 . The Police Department on Friday released its internal review of the actions of 911 call operator Donna Reneau and emergency responders during the Aug. 24 drowning of Debra Stevens, a newspaper. A police sergeant allegedly contacted the caller and said the dispatcher was going to get a verbal warning. 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. A 911 dispatcher who told a desperate woman to "shut up" moments before she drowned in flooded SUV won't face charges. This person right here, let's make her famous for being the sorriest human being in Arkansas right now." Treat went on to say, "As Debra Stevens was swept away in flood waters in Fort Smith last week, this dispatcher did nothing but patronize and belittle her, as she slowly drowned. But that's where the dime stops:We cant investigate someone who no longer works here. 5.16am: Rescue boat arrives and is launched. Absolutely,' he said. 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.". Websites CRASH as hundreds of thousands of families find out today Is YOUR lifestyle good for your heart? Please help me. ', After it started to sound like Stevens was speaking underwater, Reneau said: 'Miss Debbie? A Fort Smith Police investigation into Debra . 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. 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. Absolutely', he said. "I can't swim! 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'. 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. Reneau's interactions with Stevens made national news. RELATED: 'Uncaring' 911 dispatcher lectures drowning woman moments before she died. However, the dispatcher was not found to have done anything that would warrant her termination, police said. Oh Baby - two of FOX 5 DC's evening anchors announce they're pregnant. He said at the time that the police department would be investigating its policies into responses and their dispatch center in the wake of Stevens' death. 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working . Dispatcher begins gathering information. The family of a woman who drowned while a 911 operator appeared to mock her say they are appalled by the handling of her emergency, but they forgive the operator. She's a former 911 dispatcher who used to save lives with her calls daily. There was a public outcry after audio of Donna Reneau was released of her call with Debbie Stevens, who was in a frenzied panic when her car got stuck in floodwaters. Operator Donna Reneau took that call at 4:38am. Forget turnipsnow eat SQUIRREL! '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. Video related to donna reneau: 5 fast facts you need to know, 911 dispatcher under fire for chastising woman who later died drowning in flash flood, Debra Stevens SUV was caught in a flash flood when she called 911. 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. 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! ', 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. When asked why she was leaving her position at the police department, Reneau said she wanted to return to school. 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. (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. Stevens was on the phone with Reneau for 24 minutes as rescue crews searched for her vehicle. The Associated Press contributed. All the while, Donna Reneau was telling her to "shut up" and that she would not die. ", "Well this will teach you, next time don't drive in the water," Reneau responds. FORT SMITH, Ark. 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 date has not been set for a memorial service for Stevens. Unfortunately, in the process, she got trapped by flash flooding. Donna Reneau started her career in the Fort Smith Police Department Communications Center in October 2013. Fort Smith interim Police Chief Danny Baker said Thursday that Donna Reneau was working her final shift Aug. 24 when Debra Stevens died. Thanks for contacting us. 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. 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 told investigators that she needed to be so stern to get important information from Stevens. Pictured above is dashcam video of authorities searching for her car. The. Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker revealed Thursday that 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. RELATED:Lauren Kanarek Shot By Olympian Michael Barisone, Called 911 While Her Fianc Held Him Down. Reneau responded: 'A lot of people have called in on you, so don't think people are just sitting there. Reneau, a five-year veteran of the department, was working her final shift that Saturday morning. Luke Kenton For Dailymail.com I don't know how you didn't see it, you had to go right over it. When Stevens called, the Fort Smith Police Department staff was stretched thin. Operator Donna Reneau took that call at 4:38am. Im sorry maam, I didnt see it, she said. (KFSM) New information has been released about a former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher criticized for her interactions with a drowning woman. They're not going to get themselves in danger just because you put yourself in danger.'. In a desperate panic, Stevens dialed 911 as her car slowly began submerging beneath the oncoming tide, but rather than hear an empathetic and calming voice on the other end of the line she was told by Reneau: 'Ms Debbie you're going to need to shut up' and 'this will teach you next time don't drive in the water'. There were other factors that contributed to what went wrong. 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. 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. 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. Officers with the Fort Smith Police Department have also received death threats over the situation. Reneau said she realized she should not have said some of the things she did.. En'Joy" donna reneau dispatcher apology . 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. I don't know why you're freaking out. 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 Fort Smith Police Department and Fire Department's investigation likely means former Fort Smith dispatcher Donna Reneau will not face charges. That same day Janet Smith called 911 also when being caught by a flash flood inside her car. As Stevens became more frantic, she kept asking how much longer it would take for first responders to get to her because no one was helping her. I dont want to die, Stevens tells the operator, identified as Donna Reneau, in the released call. 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. 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". Ralph R. Ortega For Dailymail.com Stevens had been delivering. 'I believe that everything was done that was humanely possible given the circumstances at that time to save Ms Stevens life. 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. Reneau responded. 5.04am: Dispatcher advised responders cannot get to the car because of high water moving swiftly. 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'. Dispatcher begins gathering information. After it started to sound like Stevens was speaking underwater, Reneau said: 'Miss Debbie? Female carer who bit off part of a pub landlady's ear during vicious bar brawl is jailed for 14 months. 5 Debra's last moments were captured in a chilling 22-minute phone call Credit: Facebook Responders begin trying to get to vehicle, donning life vests and ropes. Third-shift supervisors do have a supervisor, but the supervisor works first-shift and Reneau said he was not available if dispatchers needed him. ", The Chief of Police reported that in spite of what is being presented, Reneau is a "good, decent human being who has saved countless lives in the last five years. Miss Debbie' before saying 'Oh my god. She was not criminally charged in the death of 47-year-old Debra Stevens'. So calm down'. 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. I'm horribly sorry that it wasn't possible'. Reneau could be heard telling Stevens to stop crying and calm down. 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. "I don't see how you didn't see it, you had to go right over it, so.". Hopefully through that, there will be enhanced training.. She was still genuine and sincere and kind and lovingand respectful.". A 911 operator who lectured a drowning woman for accidentally driving into floodwaters and told her to shut up minutes before she died was once publicly lauded as a model employee by her superiors. ", RELATED:Awful New Details Revealed About The Teen Who Died After Being Crushed In A Parked Minivan Despite Calling 911 Twice. When asked, "What did you like most about your job?" 08:10 GMT 23 Dec 2019. I don't know why you're freaking out.". 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. Stevens, 47, drowned as she begged Reneau to send someone to rescue her. 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. 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. An internal investigation by the Fort Smith police department found that Donna Reneau performed her duties as required, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. Please help me. Reputation management expert reveals why it doesn't just happen to How did Russia lose HALF of its 45,000 elite paratroopers in just seven months? 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. According to a news release from the Fort . 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. Reneau joined the police's Communications Center in 2013 and went on to train new hires, according to a police department post spotlighting the staffer last year as an "essential member of the . 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. All of our first responders who attempted to save Mrs. Stevens are distraught over the outcome. "We'll get you help and get you out of there." Police acknowledged the 911 call sounded 'calloused and uncaring at times' but insisted that 'sincere efforts' were made to try and located Stevens. https://t.co/6w4OjW3sv2, Ali McGinnis (@AliRoland) August 31, 2019. 17 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from 'donnareneau' hashtag I dont think it would have risen to the level of terminating someone. Reneau also told the two she would be paid four-times more working as a cardiac sonographer than as a Fort Smith dispatcher. Vicious bar brawl is jailed for 14 months freaking out received death threats the... Was on the phone with Reneau for 24 minutes as rescue crews searched for her with... N'T drive in the process, she said as required, the Fort Smith 911 dispatcher drowning... The death of 47-year-old Debra Stevens died responded: ' a lot of people have called in on you next... Minivan Despite Calling 911 Twice going to get themselves in danger just because you put yourself in danger just you. 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