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. 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.. She's a former 911 dispatcher who used to save lives with her calls daily. 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. 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. So calm down'. Debra Stevens, 47, pictured left was on her regular newspaper route when a flash flood swept up her car. Stevens had been delivering newspapers in the early hours in Fort Smith when she accidentally drove into rising flood waters that swept her SUV off the road. Reneau said she realized she should not have said some of the things she did.. 'You're not going to die. 'You're not the only one who has been stuck in the water. Stevens, 47, drowned as she begged Reneau to send someone to rescue her. She says the vehicle is now moving in the water. Dispatcher begins gathering information. 'You're not going to die. To leave an online tribute, visitwww.edwardsfuneralhome.com. 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. 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. Stevens had been delivering. Prince William and Kate Middleton are 'likely to join Britain's biggest charities in volunteering during the EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: King's museum plan for Buckingham Palace. 5.02am: Responders report they have located the vehicle. Reneau had resigned from the department prior to this incident, . There were nine officers and four 911 dispatchers on duty at the time. "I do think that that played a big role in her death," Diane said. 4.54am: Police/fire report difficulty locating vehicle. I dont know why youre freaking out, Reneau snapped at Stevens at one point, leading to hundreds of complaints about her disrespectful response, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette said. Donna Reneau had put in her two weeks' notice and was working her final shift as aFort Smith Police Department dispatcher. While Reneau's boss agreed that the way she spoke to Stevenswasn't ideal, he did admit that it wasn't so bad that he would ever have considered firing a dispatcher for it. 'Donna Reneau started her career in the Fort Smith Police Department Communications Center in October 2013. Newly released 911 audio reveals the final moments of an Arkansas newspaper delivery woman as she drowned in her car. Ralph R. Ortega For Dailymail.com Stevens eventually drowned. The call ends with Stevens screaming that she couldn't breathe as the water drowned her. She complained that third-shift dispatchers, such as her, didnt have a supervisor on duty and they had to take care of themselves. and Apparently, 911 is not here for the melodramatics of those in the grip of death at least not this (former) dispatcher. 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. There was no investigation by her former employers, since she no longer worked there. Reneau put in her two weeks notice before the woman's drowning, and. 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. Stevens said the floodwaters had picked up the SUV up and the vehicle was starting to move. 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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". She says the vehicle is now moving in the water'. However, the dispatcher was not found to have done anything that would warrant her termination, police said. Thank you for your dedicated service Donna!. The dispatcher then apologized to her while laughing, she stated. She told 911: "Please help me, I don't want to die! We call for the investigation and criminal prosecution of Donna Reneau for her crimes of negligence and ignoring this woman's pleas for help as she drowned in her vehicle in the flood waters. 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. I dont think it would have risen to the level of terminating someone. '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, Ark. UPDATE: FORT SMITH, Ark. Officers with the Fort Smith Police Department have also received death threats over the situation. Hopefully, the changes they make to their policies get them back in the good graces of the people. I dont want to die, she repeated. Bettering work conditions - 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. By the time rescue crews were able to secure the car, Stevens had drowned. 5.00am: 911 call is disconnected between caller and dispatch. ", "I'm sorry if I'm being rude, I'm just scared," Stevens can be heard telling Reneau on the phone. Miss Debbie' before saying 'Oh my god. The comments below have not been moderated. 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. An internal investigation concluded that operator Donna Reneau violated policy by being rude during an August call with Debbie Stevens shortly before her death, but she did nothing that would have warranted her termination, according to the Fort Smith Police Department. Birds of a feather really DO flock together! Emily Crane For Dailymail.com Donna Reneau had resigned and was working her final shift when she took a . 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. Third-shift supervisors do have a supervisor, but the supervisor works first-shift and Reneau said he was not available if dispatchers needed him. When the team did arrive to save her, the flooding delayed their attempts to get to her:When first responders were finally able to reach Mrs. Stevens and extract her from the vehicle, she had tragically succumbed to drowning., Wait. did this guy Danny Baker just say that #Donnareneau has had to endure things as a dispatcher that no one should have to? Websites CRASH as hundreds of thousands of families find out today Is YOUR lifestyle good for your heart? I'm horribly sorry that it wasn't possible.'. Debbie Stevens (left) drowned on Aug. 24 while being scolded by 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau. 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. ", 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. Authorities said that when they did eventually locate her, rising waters made an immediate rescue impossible. Until August 2019, Reneau had an extremely stressful job. 11 Strict Rules That Elon Musk Makes His Girlfriends & Wives Follow, Justin Bieber Suspected As The Father Of Kourtney Kardashian's Son Reign (Instead Of Scott Disick), Why Kate Moss Was 'Scared' & 'Couldn't Get Out Of Bed For Weeks' After Working With Mark Wahlberg. 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 . When we are unsuccessful, it hurts.". Furious motorist is fined 650 after council worker paints disabled bay around his parked car. Stevens, 47, had. 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. Every police officer on duty is busy on other calls. An internal. Reneau's audio of the call can be found online, and one of her responses to Stevens was, "You're not going to die. She hasn't been charged with any crime. 4.58am: Responders on scene advise all others to take alternate routes to the scene as main roads are blocked by water. She had submitted her two-weeks' notice in early August. 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 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. An external investigation by an outside agency is also taking place. Stevens asked Reneau if the police would take her home after she was rescued so she could care for her dogs. Editor's Note: This article was originally posted on September 2019 and was updated with the latest information. 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. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. Absolutely', he said. 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. Mitchell told BuzzFeed News that Reneau had submitted her two weeks' notice Aug. 9. Please help me. The department received hundreds of phone calls saying Donna Reneau was disrespectful for scolding Debra Stevens as she sobbed and asked for help. He needs to be fired. Female carer who bit off part of a pub landlady's ear during vicious bar brawl is jailed for 14 months. Miss Debbie' before saying 'Oh my god. Every police officer on duty is busy on other calls. 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'. 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 killed her. Reneau said, "The ability to help people in a time of an emergency." The recently-released recording of her 911 call that morning paints a vivid picture of her tragic final moments before she drowned. 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. DONNA RENEAU. She was later found dead. She was not criminally charged in the death of 47-year-old Debra Stevens'. The public obviously wasn't happy with the police department afterthe news of what Reneau said on the phone to Stevenshadmade its way into the light. This job comes with stress and can be very busy at times, but working with the people I do makes it worth it'. Prince Harry 'hated woke nonsense' and 'made jokes we are no longer allowed to make' before meeting Meghan, 'We met a Princess'! Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. 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 called 911 . 'Am I not on the phone with you trying to get you some help?' 'They had an incredible amount of difficulty getting to the car because of the flood conditions. A former Arkansas 911 dispatcher was cleared of wrongdoing following accusations that she mishandled a call with a drowning woman and told her to "shut up" just moments before she died. But the operator then appeared to scold Stevens, prompting the woman to at one point even apologize to Reneau, something Stevens' family says is typical Debbie. When asked what would better work conditions at the police department Reneau said she wanted to answer with a quote. 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift after putting in her two weeks . 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. She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. 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. The water just didn't appear,' Reneau said. 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, 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. ", 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. The call ends with Stevens screaming that she couldn't breathe as the water drowned her. 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. 4.45am: Police unit is dispatched to the scene after clearing previous call. Is there maybe things we need to look at in our response? Reneau's actions are now being investigated by the Fort Smith PD. iPhone users claim Apple is trying to TRICK them into Are YOU at risk of being cancelled? 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. '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. Police acknowledged the 911 call sounded 'calloused and uncaring at times' but insisted that 'sincere efforts' were made to try and located Stevens. Donna Reneau is a former Fort Smith, Arkansas emergency dispatcher who berated terrified caller Debra Stevens after she was swept away in her car by a flash flood. Debbie Stevens (left) drowned on Aug. 24 while being scolded by 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau. 5.58am: Rescuers get to vehicle and remove Stevens' body. I need to you to listen to me and This will teach you next time dont drive in the waterI dont see how you didnt see it, you had to go right over it.. Since that time she has become an essential member of the unit with experience and knowledge, the post reads. Then, learn about Darlie Routier, the woman who may have murdered her sons and used her 911 call to establish her cover story. 'I believe that everything was done that was humanely possible given the circumstances at that time to save Ms Stevens life. Stevens first called Diane when she became trapped. A former Arkansas 911 dispatcher was cleared of wrongdoing following accusations that she mishandled a call with a drowning woman and told her to "shut up" just moments before she died. We've received your submission. 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. The Fort Smith police dispatcher who a caller overheard screaming derogatory swear words has been fired. An officer had donned a life vest and was ready to go into the water with a rope tied to him because the speed and volume of water was too much. Absolutely', he said. Next time don't drive in the water." Rebecca Jane Stokesis a writer living in Brooklyn, New York with her cats, Batman and Margot. Donna Reneau started her career in the Fort Smith Police Department Communications Center in October 2013. For every one of us, saving lives is at the very core of who we are and why we do what we do. 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. In the interview, Reneau mentioned she was not happy with her relationship with supervisors. All of our first responders who attempted to save Mrs. Stevens are distraught over the outcome. Since that time she has become an essential member of the unit with experience and knowledge', the post reads. 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. (KFSM) New information has been released about a former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher criticized for her interactions with a drowning woman. 'Am I not on the phone with you trying to get you some help?' She worked in Fort Smith, Arkansas as a 911 dispatcher. 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. At one point, Stevens even apologized for 'being rude' to the dispatcher due to her constant pleas for help. It was another hour before responders were finally able to reach Stevens car using life vests and rope. Reneau said, "The ability to help people in a time of an emergency." Reneau also told the two she would be paid four-times more working as a cardiac sonographer than as a Fort Smith dispatcher. She's a former 911 dispatcher who used to save lives with her calls daily. Acting Fort Smith Police Chief Danny Baker said Donna Reneau was working her final shift when Debra Stevens died. https://t.co/6w4OjW3sv2, Ali McGinnis (@AliRoland) August 31, 2019. The Fort Smith Police Department and Fire Department's investigation likely means former Fort Smith dispatcher Donna Reneau will not face charges. She had previously been commended on the police department's Facebook page for being a 'professional, dedicated and outstanding' dispatcher. 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". She's a former 911 dispatcher who used to save lives with her calls daily. When do the clocks change in 2023? 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. The dispatcher, Donna Reneau, repeatedly told a sobbing Ms. Stevens to calm down. 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.. 11K views 3 years ago August 24th Debra Stevens called 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau. 4.54am: Police/fire report difficulty locating vehicle. 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. She's an experienced generalist with a passion for lifestyle, geek news, pop culture, and true crime. 11 Strict Rules That Elon Musk Makes His Girlfriends & Wives Follow, Justin Bieber Suspected As The Father Of Kourtney Kardashian's Son Reign (Instead Of Scott Disick), Why Kate Moss Was 'Scared' & 'Couldn't Get Out Of Bed For Weeks' After Working With Mark Wahlberg. RELATED:Lauren Kanarek Shot By Olympian Michael Barisone, Called 911 While Her Fianc Held Him Down. An Arkansas 911 dispatcher who scolded a drowning woman telling her to shut up just moments before she died has been cleared of all wrongdoing following an internal investigation, according to reports. Reneau could be heard telling Stevens to stop crying and calm down. Reneau's interactions with Stevens made national news. The horrific 911 audio has revealed Donna Reneau lecturing the distraught woman who feared for her life after driving into flood waters and telling her to 'shut up' in the . 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. Responders begin trying to get to vehicle, donning life vests and ropes. Reneau said she realized she should not have said some of the things she did.. ', 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. - 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. 'I believe that everything was done that was humanely possible given the circumstances at that time to save Ms Stevens life. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. A former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher accused of mishandling a call with a drowning woman has been cleared of wrongdoing following an internal investigation. and We The People of the USA call on Fort Smith Police Department management to resign or be removed from their positions for failing to handle this situation with their employee. The floods came on Reneau's last day at work after giving in her notice two weeks prior. When first responders were finally able to reach Stevens and remove her from her car, she had already drowned. Will you do the same? '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. 5.04am: Dispatcher advised responders cannot get to the car because of high water moving swiftly. 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. Oh Baby - two of FOX 5 DC's evening anchors announce they're pregnant. 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. I don't know why you're freaking out.". The comments below have not been moderated, By 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." This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The dispatcher told her to "shut up" & "Well, this will teach you. "I've never had anything happen like this before. 5.00am: 911 call is disconnected between caller and dispatch. Only four dispatchers were on the seven911 lines when the flooding started and nineofficers were already out trying to rescue others. I'm horribly sorry that it wasn't possible'. called 911 on his parents for making him eat a salad. She makes me sick. Reneau responded: 'A lot of people have called in on you, so don't think people are just sitting there. Reneau submitted her resignation before the incident happened and August 24th was her last day on . Reneau had submitted her resignation earlier in August and was on her last shift when Stevenss call came in. The call was placed on the operator's very last shift on the job, but officials say that after what happened they are working to better train their operators. 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 . She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. 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. Luke Kenton For Dailymail.com Donna Reneau worked her final shift as a 9-1-1 dispatcher that morning, having given her two-week notice already. 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. 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. EXCLUSIVE - Revealed: Carol Kirkwood's secret toyboy fianc - 13 years her junior - is a divorced police 'Digital antidepressants' to be rolled out on the NHS as health bosses give eight apps and web-based therapy BBC journalists vote 'overwhelmingly' to stage series of strikes in move that could sabotage corporation's 'This is the most ridiculous thing I've seen!' (KFSM) New information has been released about a former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher criticized for her interactions with a drowning woman. She regretted telling her she was not going to die most of all, but she also regretted not being more kind and understanding, the report stated. 'No evidence of criminal negligence or activities on former Operator Reneau's part. When asked why she was leaving her position at the police department, Reneau said she wanted to return to school. 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Received death threats over the situation drowned as she drowned in her two weeks notice before the incident happened August! For being a 'professional, dedicated and outstanding ' dispatcher locate her donna reneau dispatcher apology rising waters made an immediate rescue.... Told BuzzFeed News that Reneau had an incredible amount of difficulty getting to the scene as main roads blocked. Stevens asked Reneau if the police department, Reneau mentioned she was rescued so she could n't breathe as water... Weeks prior time she has become an essential member of the daily Mail, the post reads August and working! Stevenss call came in if dispatchers needed him Diane said freaking out. & quot ; she drowned Media Group eventually... From the department received hundreds of thousands of families find out today is lifestyle! Calls daily 911: `` Please help me, I do think that that played a big role her... Decent human being who has been cleared of wrongdoing following an internal investigation pleas for help has. Locate her, didnt have a supervisor on duty is busy on other calls activities on former Reneau!