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. 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. 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!' The family has set up a GoFundMe page to benefit Stevens' husband, Marcus Stevens. 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. - 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. All Rights Reserved. 'You're not going to die. RELATED: 'Uncaring' 911 dispatcher lectures drowning woman moments before she died. Marshals Service involved in fatal shooting in Southeast DC, Porsche carjacked at gunpoint in Dupont Circle: DC Police. Responders begin trying to get to vehicle, donning life vests and ropes. 5.16am: Rescue boat arrives and is launched. Please help me. I dont want to die, she said. Donna Reneau started her career in the Fort Smith Police Department Communications Center in October 2013. Every police officer on duty is busy on other calls. 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. But even in their deepest grief, the family has a message of forgiveness for Reneau. "She called her for help and that's the only reason she called her, was for help," Stevens' mother-in-law, Diane Primm-Smith, told Inside Edition. He needs to be fired. There are multiple types of hair clips, and each has its own uses and style. 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's a former 911 dispatcher who used to save lives with her calls daily. Emergency dispatcher Donna Reneau told caller Debbie Stevens to "shut up" as Stevens was drowning. 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift after putting in her two weeks . Fort Smith interim Police Chief Danny Baker said Thursday that Donna Reneau was working her final shift Aug. 24 when Debra Stevens died. Please sign this petition so that we can get Donna Reneau prosecuted for her crimes and bring some peace and closure to the family of Debra Stevens. She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. This job comes with stress and can be very busy at times, but working with the people I do makes it worth it.. Phase De La Lune sotrisme, So calm down'. 'It's a tragic thing, I understand that. Who is Donna Reneau? 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. When first responders were finally able to reach Stevens and remove her from her car, she had already drowned. 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. Prior to answering Stevens'desperate call, Reneau had actually quit her job and was working her final shift when the call came in. "How Mrs. Stevens was talked to was inappropriate, and I think we all agree with that. UPDATE: FORT SMITH, Ark. 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. 4.45am: Police unit is dispatched to the scene after clearing previous call. 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.. '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. Fort Smith Police chief Danny Baker issued a statement, saying, "I am heartbroken for this tragic loss of life and my prayers are with Debras family and friends. 08:10 GMT 23 Dec 2019. 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. 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. Im sorry maam, I didnt see it, she said. 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. She was later found dead. After it started to sound like Stevens was speaking underwater, Reneau said: 'Miss Debbie? 4.58am: Responders on scene advise all others to take alternate routes to the scene as main roads are blocked by water. A . 5.58am: Rescuers get to vehicle and remove Stevens' body. 5.58am: Rescuers get to vehicle and remove Stevens' body. A former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher accused of mishandling a call with a drowning woman has been cleared of wrongdoing following an internal investigation. "Please help me, I don't want to die," Stevens can be heard begging in the 22-minute 911 call previously released by police. I'm horribly sorry that it wasn't possible'. Reneau said she realized she should not have said some of the things she did.. - 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. ", 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. (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. She had submitted her two-weeks' notice in early August. They had an incredible amount of difficulty getting to the car because of the flood conditions. She's a former 911 dispatcher who used to save lives with her calls daily. 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'No evidence of criminal negligence or activities on former Operator Reneau's part. Would love your thoughts, please comment. 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. Police acknowledged the 911 call sounded 'calloused and uncaring at times' but insisted that 'sincere efforts' were made to try and located Stevens. The call was taken by dispatcher Donna Reneau who was working her last shift as a 911 operator after putting in her two-weeks' notice of resignation. According to Aric Mitchell, a spokesperson for the department,theyhad to deal with more than 100 death threats of all different types. 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. 11K views 3 years ago August 24th Debra Stevens called 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau. En'Joy" donna reneau dispatcher apology Apparently, 911 is not here for the melodramatics of those in the grip of death at least not this (former) dispatcher. 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Debbie Stevens, 47, pictured left was on her regular newspaper route when a flash flood swept up her car. 4.58am: Responders on scene advise all others to take alternate routes to the scene as main roads are blocked by water. , updated So now he is demanding an apology. Reneau had turned in her. First Published: 10:49 AM PDT, September 25, 2019. Disturbing audio found that Donna Reneau, a dispatcher for Arkansas police, gave Debbie Stevens a spray over the phone, as she desperately begged for help after driving into an apartment complex parking lot to try to avoid flooding. Mayor of Fort Smith, Arkansas Mr. George B. McGill, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. 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. Fort Smith interim Police Chief Danny Baker said Thursday that Donna Reneau was working her final shift Aug. 24 when Debra Stevens died. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 'To know you have helped someone that needed it gives you a great feeling. She intentional inflicted pain on another human being. "You go ahead and start off the prayer, and I'll listen to you," Reneau responds. She's a former 911 dispatcher who used to save lives with her calls daily. 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.. The audio of the 911 call was. 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. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. 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'. 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. Female carer who bit off part of a pub landlady's ear during vicious bar brawl is jailed for 14 months. 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. Audio recording of the phone call revealed that dispatcher Donna Reneau of Fort Smith, Arkansas, spoke callously to Debbie Stevens, 47, who was on a paper route in the 5800 block of Kinkead Avenue when her car was caught in a flash . He said this emphasizes the need for more telecommunication training. 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. "This will teach you next time dont drive in the water, said Donna, among other blistering indictments against the dying woman. It was another hour before responders were finally able to reach Stevens car using life vests and rope. Stevens was on the phone with Reneau for 24 minutes as rescue crews searched for her vehicle. They just weren't able to get to her on time,' Mitchell said. 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'. Thank you for your dedicated service Donna'! vtskeersttning resorb. I dont want us interacting with anyone in that way, whether its a life or death situation or not, Baker said. and By the time rescue crews were able to secure the car, Stevens had drowned. "She called her for help and that's the only reason she called her, was for help," Stevens' mother-in-law, Diane Primm-Smith, told Inside Edition. 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. 5.02am: Responders report they have located the vehicle. 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. Her actions should make everyone sick. However Ive been in communication with the fire department chief, were looking at what we maybe can do to increase training., Baker added that if Reneau, who was a certified employee trainer for the department, were to be disciplined, it would have been more of an evaluation of her rudeness/quality of service.. FORT SMITH, Ark. In the interview, Reneau mentioned she was not happy with her relationship with supervisors. 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. Believe it or not, in February 2019, she was named "Fire Dispatcher of the Year. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. Until August 2019, Reneau had an extremely stressful job. I dont know these people, but I do know evil when I hear it, one user commented. Stevens asked Reneau if the police would take her home after she was rescued so she could care for her dogs. Stevens, 47, had. 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift after putting in her two weeks notice, is under fire for her "uncaring" response. JAMIE MITCHELL/AP. 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. ", "I'm sorry if I'm being rude, I'm just scared," Stevens can be heard telling Reneau on the phone. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. All Rights Reserved. An internal. By: News 9. "I can't swim! 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. Reneau responded. 'Am I not on the phone with you trying to get you some help?' 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. Reneau submitted her resignation before the incident happened and August 24th was her last day on . 5NEWS has obtained an exit interview. 'Am I not on the phone with you trying to get you some help?' Absolutely', he said. RELATED: 'Uncaring' 911 dispatcher lectures drowning woman moments before she died. I dont want to die, Stevens tells the operator, identified as Donna Reneau, in the released call. "She was brokenhearted.". The face of #EVIL #donnareneau. 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. It is so unfortunate that her entire career willbe defined by this single incident. 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.. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. She's an experienced generalist with a passion for lifestyle, geek news, pop culture, and true crime. 5.16am: Rescue boat arrives and is launched. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. 911 dispatcher who scolded drowning woman won't face charges - ABC News. Luke Kenton For Dailymail.com Stressful start to National Offer Day? In December 2019, the police released their internal review on Reneau. FORT SMITH, Ark. As Stevens began to panic, Reneau's responses . 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. Please help me. 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. That's because 911 is usually only a number we dial when there is an actual emergency, and when we're in the thick of dealing with a life-threatening crisis, very often our best social graces go out the window. 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. We've received your submission. Tisane Hibiscus Mlisse Feuille De Mrier Bienfait, Since that time she has become an essential member of the unit with experience and knowledge, the post reads. Responders were finally able to reach Stevens and remove her from her,... 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