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. 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. 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. Until August 2019, Reneau had an extremely stressful job. 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. Authorities said that when they did eventually locate her, rising waters made an immediate rescue impossible. She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. Baker said 911 had been inundated with calls at the time from people who were also stranded in flood waters. Debra Stevens, 47, pictured left was on her regular newspaper route when a flash flood swept up her car. 'It's a tragic thing, I understand that. 11K views 3 years ago August 24th Debra Stevens called 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau. 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. Debra Stevens repeatedly asked for help during the call, but was . 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. He needs to be fired. 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? 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. FORT SMITH, Ark. 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. and Reneau submitted her resignation before the incident happened and August 24th was her last day on . 17 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from 'donnareneau' hashtag 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. When asked, "What did you like most about your job?" Reneau could be heard telling Stevens to stop crying and calm down. First Published: 10:49 AM PDT, September 25, 2019. Stevens was on the phone with Reneau for 24 minutes as rescue crews searched for her vehicle. Is there maybe things we need to look at in our response? Inside the forest palace 'Putin shares with his gymnast lover and their secret children': Luxury estate My nightmare neighbours kept throwing condoms and rubbish in our garden - I took epic revenge and they never Seat swapping on planes is a hot topic - but what ARE the do's and don'ts? 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. Dispatcher begins gathering information. ', 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. The Fort Smith Police Department are sweeping this under the table and refusing to take any criminal action against their employee who failed to do her job and caused a death as a result. . "She was brokenhearted.". Here's what we know about Donna Reneau, the 911 call, and the fallout of her actions. 5.02am: Responders report they have located the vehicle. 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. 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!' When asked why she was leaving her position at the police department, Reneau said she wanted to return to school. 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She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. She's under water now'. Donna Reneau had put in her two weeks' notice and was working her final shift as a Fort 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. Thank you for your dedicated service Donna'! 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.. 4.41am: Fire department is dispatched to the scene. 5.00am: 911 call is disconnected between caller and dispatch. Phase De La Lune sotrisme, Websites CRASH as hundreds of thousands of families find out today Is YOUR lifestyle good for your heart? Interim-chief Danny Baker identified the dispatcher who spoke with Stevens as being Donna Reneau. (KFSM) New information has been released about a former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher criticized for her interactions with a drowning woman. Now, herfamily is speaking out, telling Inside Edition they arefurious at the handling of her emergency. It is so unfortunate that her entire career willbe defined by this single incident. ', Reneau, who had been a dispatcher for five years with the department, could be heard telling Stevens to stop and calm down repeatedly throughout the 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. 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. Meanwhile, the department's investigation into the matter is ongoing. Frantic Families Trapped in Their Homes and Running Out of Food After Massive Snowstorm Cripples California, 3 Female Bodybuilders Say League Owner's Son Sexually Exploited Them While Their Careers Hung in the Balance, Innocent Michigan Man, 71, Walks Free After 2 Decades in Prison Thanks to True Crime Coverage of His Case, Lindsay Clancy: Timeline of Events in the Case of Massachusetts Mom Accused of Killing Her 3 Children, Abby Choi Case: Police Scour Landfill Searching for Dismembered Model's Missing Torso, Hands and Arms, 2 Missing Women Found Alive by Maine Game Wardens After Being Stuck in Their Car in Freezing Temperatures. There were other factors that contributed to what went wrong. Reneau's interactions with Stevens made national news. 4.41am: Fire department is dispatched to the scene. 5.02am: Responders report they have located the vehicle. 4.38am: 911 call received. I'm horribly sorry that it wasn't possible.'. Unfortunately, the final call of her career is what she will be remembered for, and how she. Stevens screamed as the water level crept up inside her car, which was stranded in floodwater. Responders begin trying to get to vehicle, donning life vests and ropes. FORT SMITH, Ark. Will you do the same? 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. ", 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 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. 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. 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. 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. FORT SMITH, Ark. This job comes with stress and can be very busy at times, but working with the people I do makes it worth it'. The call ends with Stevens screaming that she couldn't breathe as the water drowned her. The family of a woman who drowned while . 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. 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. 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift after putting in her two weeks notice, is under fire for her "uncaring" response. 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 . 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. Third-shift supervisors do have a supervisor, but the supervisor works first-shift and Reneau said he was not available if dispatchers needed him. 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. 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. 'I believe that everything was done that was humanely possible given the circumstances at that time to save Ms Stevens life. RELATED:New Details About A Baby Who Was Accidentally Locked Inside A Hot Car And Why A 911 Operator Refused To Send Police To Help. She intentional inflicted pain on another human being. 'You're not the only one who has been stuck in the water. To leave an online tribute, visitwww.edwardsfuneralhome.com. "I've never had anything happen like this before. For every one of us, saving lives is at the very core of who we are and why we do what we do. Debra Stevens did die. glasfiberpool installation. She was also heard in the call telling Stevens to "shut up.". Stevens, 47, had. Since Reneau no longer works for the. Reneau was on her last day as a 911 operator when the call was made, having turned in her notice two weeks earlier. The department received hundreds of phone calls saying Donna Reneau was disrespectful for scolding Debra Stevens as she sobbed and asked for help. 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. Stevens: "Please help me. 2023 FOX Television Stations, in the 22-minute 911 call previously released by police, 'Uncaring' 911 dispatcher lectures drowning woman moments before she died, NFL owners to discuss Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder at upcoming meeting: AP source, Elderly couple dead in possible murder-suicide in Fairfax County: police, Southeast triple shooting suspect identified by police, Wreckage of US Navy submarine from World War II found off Japans coast, U.S. Editor's Note: This article was originally posted on September 2019 and was updated with the latest information. 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. 'You're not going to die. 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. 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. Baker said Thursday that Donna Reneau was working her final shift Aug. 24, when Debra Stevens died. 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. 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. She was also heard in the call telling Stevens to "shut up.". Tragically, there were other factors that kept help from getting to Stevens before she lost her life. 5.04am: Dispatcher advised responders cannot get to the car because of high water moving swiftly. I don't know how you didn't see it, you had to go right over it. She says the vehicle is now moving in the water'. 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. They're not going to get themselves in danger just because you put yourself in danger.'. Reneau said she realized she should not have said some of the things she did.. 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