The dispatcher, Donna Reneau, repeatedly told a sobbing Ms. Stevens to calm down. Miss Debbie' before saying 'Oh my god. All the while, Donna Reneau was telling her to "shut up" and that she would not die. I don't know why you're 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. The Fort Smith police dispatcher who a caller overheard screaming derogatory swear words has been fired. 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. The water just didn't appear', Reneau said. The investigation was. 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. 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift after putting in her two weeks notice, is under fire for her "uncaring" response. We are looking at what we can do to increase training for our dispatchers, swift water rescues, and other things.. The review concluded that she had done her jobas required. Congratulations to Donna Reneau for being selected as the Fire Dispatcher of the Year! She said she felt like those that worked the third shift never saw a supervisor, and when people on her shift attempted to call a supervisor, they did not answer. She also stated that she liked the family-oriented atmosphere. 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. FORT SMITH, Ark. Until August 2019, Reneau had an extremely stressful job. 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. Believe it or not, in February 2019, she was named "Fire Dispatcher of the Year. FORT SMITH, Ark. I dont think it would have risen to the level of terminating someone. . 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. 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. 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. 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. The. '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. An external investigation by an outside agency is also taking place. At one point, Stevens got frantic and had this exchange with the dispatcher. 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. However, an investigation into our policies, our responses, our dispatch center, Ive talked to the fire chief. "I do forgive her, even though it's hard," said Rebeca. Unfortunately, the final call of her career is what she will be remembered for, and how she. "We'll get you help and get you out of there." Flamingos form CLIQUES with like-minded pals, study finds. 5.16am: Rescue boat arrives and is launched. Reneau: "This will teach you next time don't drive in the water." Stevens: "Couldn't see it ma'am. Who is Donna Reneau? 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? 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. Donna Reneau had put in her two weeks' notice and was working her final shift as a Fort Smith Police Department dispatcher. 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. 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. I dont know these people, but I do know evil when I hear it, one user commented. Please help me. He said the police department would be investigating its policies into responses and their dispatch center in the wake of Stevens' death. https://www.dailycelebuk.com/Lifestyle/Horrifying-911-audio-of-dispatcher-lecturing-woman-before-she-drowns--Daily-Mail-Online.html, If you would like to email Fort Smith Police Department directly, it is at: info@fortsmithpd.org. Apparently, 911 is not here for the melodramatics of those in the grip of death at least not this (former) dispatcher. Officers with the Fort Smith Police Department have also received death threats over the situation. Tisane Hibiscus Mlisse Feuille De Mrier Bienfait, Unfortunately, the final call of her career is what she will be remembered for, and how she. 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. 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. 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. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. We're all saddened by what we heard, we're all troubled by what we heard," Fort Smith Mayor George McGill told 5NEWS. 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. "The 911 call came in at 4:38 a.m. and was answered by Donna Reneau, who had previously turned in her two . 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 A date has not been set for a memorial service for Stevens. A date has not been set for a memorial service for Stevens. Hopefully through that, there will be enhanced training.. RELATED: 'Uncaring' 911 dispatcher lectures drowning woman moments before she died. I'm going to drown!" We are looking at what we can do to increase training for our dispatchers, swift water rescues, and other things.. 5.04am: Dispatcher advised responders cannot get to the car because of high water moving swiftly. called 911 on his parents for making him eat a salad. Reneau had submitted her resignation earlier in August and was on her last shift when Stevenss call came in. 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. 'You're not the only one who has been stuck in the water. (Jamie Mitchell/The Southwest Times Record via AP) Time was running out for Debra Stevens. 'No evidence of criminal negligence or activities on former Operator Reneau's part. 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.". https://t.co/6w4OjW3sv2, Ali McGinnis (@AliRoland) August 31, 2019. 'You're not going to die. There were nine officers and four 911 dispatchers on duty at the time. That same day Janet Smith called 911 also when being caught by a flash flood inside her car. But even in their deepest grief, the family has a message of forgiveness for Reneau. 'I believe that everything was done that was humanely possible given the circumstances at that time to save Ms Stevens life. Stevens had been. In the 911 recording . 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. 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. Reneau was working her final shift Aug. 24 when she took the call from 47-year-old Debra Stevens, a newspaper delivery woman, who later drowned as her SUV was swept away by flash flooding. Once Stevens called 911 after she got stuck in her car, she was met with an unsympathetic dispatcher who scolded her multiple times even in her final moments of life. ', 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 dispatcher hung up. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. "She was brokenhearted.". Is there maybe things we need to look at in our response? 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. Authorities said that when they did eventually locate her, rising waters made an immediate rescue impossible. Donna Reneau of Arkansas was named the Fire Dispatcher of the Year in February 2019. Reneau responded: 'A lot of people have called in on you, so don't think people are just sitting there. (KFSM) New information has been released about a former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher criticized for her interactions with a drowning woman. 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. Debbie Stevens, 47, who was trapped as floodwaters [] The dispatcher, a certified training operator who was not named on Friday, reportedly screamed "that stupid f----- c---" while on duty April 9, according to a complaint from a caller who overheard her. Reneau's actions are now being investigated by the Fort Smith PD. 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". 4.41am: Fire department is dispatched to the scene. 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. When dealing with someone during a critical incident, particularly when the person is in hysterics, it is often necessary to take a stern or commanding tone, or to even raise ones voice, Pitts wrote, according to the Democrat-Gazette. August 30, 2019 06:45 PM A woman drowned in a flash flood in Arkansas on Saturday after calling 911 to say she was trapped in her car as water was rising around her. 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. This story was reported from Cincinnati. She was later found dead. So now he is demanding an apology. Reneau had resigned from the department prior to this incident, . To leave an online tribute, visitwww.edwardsfuneralhome.com. In the 911 recording . He needs to be fired. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Luke Kenton For Dailymail.com 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'. 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. But what we want to do is not lose sight of the fact first responders were dispatched, the call was bumped in priority, and as much effort was done by our first responders to get to her," Fort Smith City Administrator Carl Geffken said. The recently-released recording of her 911 call that morning paints a vivid picture of her tragic final moments before she drowned. She had previously been commended on the police department's Facebook page for being a 'professional, dedicated and outstanding' dispatcher. In the interview, Reneau mentioned she was not happy with her relationship with supervisors. Did they find her? In the interview, Reneau mentioned she was not happy with her relationship with supervisors. 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. 'It's a tragic thing, I understand that. Please help me. "I sure will., Reneau, who was working her final shift after giving her notice two weeks notice, told Stevens that authorities will get there when they get there and that she's not going to die, at one point telling her to "shut up. Prince Harry 'hated woke nonsense' and 'made jokes we are no longer allowed to make' before meeting Meghan, 'We met a Princess'! 11K views 3 years ago August 24th Debra Stevens called 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau. 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. I CANT BREATHE!, Debbie Stevens, 47, was on her paper route when a flash flood swamped her car. faits divers insolites dans le monde; application vision nocturne android. All of our first responders who attempted to save Mrs. Stevens are distraught over the outcome. 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. 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. "You go ahead and start off the prayer, and I'll listen to you," Reneau responds. Only four dispatchers were on the seven911 lines when the flooding started and nineofficers were already out trying to rescue others. Dispatcher Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift because she was quitting, abused the poor woman. Reneau's interactions with Stevens made national news. Debra Stevens, 47, pictured left was on her regular newspaper route when a flash flood swept up her car. 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. 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 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. The Associated Press contributed. Stevens, 47, drowned as she. Police acknowledged the 911 call sounded 'calloused and uncaring at times' but insisted that 'sincere efforts' were made to try and located Stevens. Did they find her? Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Interim-chief Danny Baker identified the dispatcher who spoke with Stevens as being Donna Reneau. 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. "I'm scared. Until August 2019, Reneau had an extremely stressful job. Next time don't drive in the water." When do the clocks change in 2023? She worked in Fort Smith, Arkansas as a 911 dispatcher. ", 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. Unfortunately, in the process, she got trapped by flash flooding. Debra Stevens did die. "And, while the operator's response to this extremely tense and dynamic event sounds calloused and uncaring at times, sincere efforts were being made to locate and save Mrs. Stevens," the police statement added. 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? But Reneau's handling of the dying woman's call has opened a . It is so unfortunate that her entire career willbe defined by this single incident. She worked in Fort Smith, Arkansas as a 911 dispatcher. "She said, 'Please come help me, pull me out of the water, I'm stranded and I don't want to die today. Debbie Stevens (left) drowned on Aug. 24 while being scolded by 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau. Stevens called 911 before her death, and Reneau answered her call. Reneau was on her last day as a 911 operator when the call was made, having turned in her notice two weeks earlier. 4.38am: 911 call received. Absolutely', he said. 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. and Miss Debbie' before saying 'Oh my god. She also said another reason for her leaving was she felt like there was no way to "move up" within the department. 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. She intentional inflicted pain on another human being. A rescue boat was launched at 5:16 a.m. however, first responders werent able to reach Stevens until 5:58 a.m. Debbie Stevens, 47, called the. Thanks for contacting us. I'm horribly sorry that it wasn't possible.'. Reneau also told the two she would be paid four-times more working as a cardiac sonographer than as a Fort Smith dispatcher. Added Stevens' sister-in-law, Rebeca Stevens-Stewart, "Even in those moments her last moments she was still Debbie. Luke Kenton For Dailymail.com "This will teach you next time don't drive in the water," Reneau said. 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working . 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. Thank you for your dedicated service Donna'! 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.. 5.00am: 911 call is disconnected between caller and dispatch. 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