She's an experienced generalist with a passion for lifestyle, geek news, pop culture, and true crime. 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. "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. Published August 31, 2019. When we are unsuccessful, it hurts.". 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 . "The 911 call came in at 4:38 a.m. and was answered by Donna Reneau, who had previously turned in her two . 4.38am: 911 call received. I'm going to drown! 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. 'Am I not on the phone with you trying to get you some help?' ", 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. "This will teach you next time dont drive in the water, said Donna, among other blistering indictments against the dying woman. She was also heard in the call telling Stevens to "shut up.". vtskeersttning resorb. Furious motorist is fined 650 after council worker paints disabled bay around his parked car. An internal. 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. 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. 5.00am: 911 call is disconnected between caller and dispatch. 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. 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. "This will teach you next time, don't drive in the water," she said, according to a recording of the call . 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. 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. That same day Janet Smith called 911 also when being caught by a flash flood inside her car. Baker said 911 had been inundated with calls at the time from people who were also stranded in flood waters. Did they find her? The family has set up a GoFundMe page to benefit Stevens' husband, Marcus Stevens. Stevens, 47, drowned as she. We are looking at what we can do to increase training for our dispatchers, swift water rescues, and other things.. 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. (KFSM) New information has been released about a former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher criticized for her interactions with a drowning woman. 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? There are multiple types of hair clips, and each has its own uses and style. 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. 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. Thanks for contacting us. 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift after putting in her two weeks notice, is under fire for her "uncaring" response. Bettering work conditions When do the clocks change in 2023? 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. 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. 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. Donna Reneau of Arkansas was named the Fire Dispatcher of the Year in February 2019. You had to go right over it, she said. Pictured above is dashcam video of authorities searching for her car. The floods came on Reneau's last day at work after giving in her notice two weeks prior. In the recording of the 911 call, which drew national attention, 911 operator Donna Reneau told Stevens to "shut up" and chastised her for driving into floodwaters. 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. In December 2019, the police released their internal review on Reneau. Baker said 911 had been inundated with calls at the time from people who were also stranded in flood waters. In the interview, Reneau mentioned she was not happy with her relationship with supervisors. By Luke Kenton and Emily Crane For Dailymail.com, Published: 16:27 GMT, 31 August 2019 | Updated: 06:41 GMT, 23 December 2019. 2023 FOX Television Stations, in the 22-minute 911 call previously released by police, 'Uncaring' 911 dispatcher lectures drowning woman moments before she died, President Biden visits Virginia to tout economic achievements, It's a Philly thing: Police will grease poles ahead of Eagles-49ers NFC Championship game, Bethesda-Chevy Chase area parents concerned over reports of men following children, MSG owner James Dolan threatens alcohol ban at MSG over facial recognition controversy, Drunk man mistakenly steals Tesla he confused for his own: police, Study ranks Virginia as best place to retire in America; Maryland as one of the worst, Over 200 Howard University students using GoFundMe to pay tuition, Armed serial carjackers captured behind DC restaurant's freezer after chase: police, Seniors scramble to graduate after PGCPS system error, Tanker truck carrying sewage overturns in Springfield. Absolutely', he said. The. Operator Donna Reneau took that call at 4:38am. Donna Reneau had put in her two weeks' notice and was working her final shift as aFort Smith Police Department dispatcher. 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. Diskretiseringsfel kan vanligtvis minskas genom att anvnda ett mer fint frdelat gitter, med en kad b Reneau was on her last day as a 911 operator when the call was made, having turned in her notice two weeks earlier. "I've never had anything happen like this before. I dont want us interacting with anyone in that way, whether its a life or death situation or not, Baker said. Reneau also suggested dispatchers get a distress break after taking a high-stress 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.. 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. 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. Ralph R. Ortega For Dailymail.com Ralph R. Ortega For Dailymail.com The. 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. 'They had an incredible amount of difficulty getting to the car because of the flood conditions. 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. I'm going to drown!" Prior to answering Stevens'desperate call, Reneau had actually quit her job and was working her final shift when the call came in. An internal. '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. 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. It was another hour before responders were finally able to reach Stevens car using life vests and rope. 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. Birds of a feather really DO flock together! Here's what to do if it happens. Female carer who bit off part of a pub landlady's ear during vicious bar brawl is jailed for 14 months. and All the while, Donna Reneau was telling her to "shut up" and that she would not die. 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. 5.16am: Rescue boat arrives and is launched. She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. 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. Reneau had submitted her resignation earlier in August and was on her last shift when Stevenss call came in. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. FORT SMITH, Ark. Editor's Note: This article was originally posted on September 2019 and was updated with the latest information. Debbie Stevens, 47, pictured left was on her regular newspaper route when a flash flood swept up her car. Reneau faced no criminal charges in Stevens death. She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. The dispatcher hung up. All Rights Reserved. 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. Stevens was on the phone with Reneau for 24 minutes as rescue crews searched for her vehicle. Emily Crane For Dailymail.com 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. 'You're not the only one who has been stuck in the water. 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(KFSM) A former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher accused of mishandling a call with a drowning woman has been cleared of wrongdoing following . 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. Congratulations to Donna Reneau for being selected as the Fire Dispatcher of the Year! 5.00am: 911 call is disconnected between caller and dispatch. Debra Stevens, 47, pictured left was on her regular newspaper route when a flash flood swept up her car. 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. 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. 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". ", Reneau also tells her at another point, "You're gonna have to shut up, OK?". 5.02am: Responders report they have located the vehicle. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Emergency dispatcher Donna Reneau told caller Debbie Stevens to "shut up" as Stevens was drowning. "The 911 call came in at 4:38 a.m. and was answered by Donna Reneau, who had previously turned in her two . Thank you for your dedicated service Donna'! UPDATE: FORT SMITH, Ark. . However, an investigation into our policies, our responses, our dispatch center, Ive talked to the fire chief. Reneau's interactions with Stevens made national news. She worked in Fort Smith, Arkansas as a 911 dispatcher. Until August 2019, Reneau had an extremely stressful job. A frantic Debbie Stevens sobbed as she was on the phone with an operator in Arkansas while she was trapped in a flash flood on the morning of Aug. 24. Newly released 911 audio reveals the final moments of an Arkansas newspaper delivery woman as she drowned in her car. 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. Stevens called 911 before her death, and Reneau answered her call. . He needs to be fired. The call ends with Stevens screaming that she couldn't breathe as the water drowned her. 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. 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. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. Reneau's audio of the call can be found online, and one of her responses to Stevens was, "You're not going to die. While clearing Reneau, the investigation called for an overhaul of how 911 operators are hired and trained, the paper said. 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 ', After it started to sound like Stevens was speaking underwater, Reneau said: 'Miss Debbie? We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. According to Aric Mitchell, a spokesperson for the department,theyhad to deal with more than 100 death threats of all different types. Reneau: "This will teach you next time don't drive in the water." Stevens: "Couldn't see it ma'am. There were nine officers and four 911 dispatchers on duty at the time. 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. 'Am I not on the phone with you trying to get you some help?' I CANT BREATHE!, Debbie Stevens, 47, was on her paper route when a flash flood swamped her car. 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. 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Here's what we know about Donna Reneau, the 911 call, and the fallout of her actions. Until August 2019, Reneau had an extremely stressful job. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 4.41am: Fire department is dispatched to the scene. In the 911 recording . and "She was brokenhearted.". She's under water now'. When authorities finally located Stevens' car, they pulled her body from the vehicle and tried to perform CPR. The family of a woman who drowned while . 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. "We all heard that. Then, learn about Darlie Routier, the woman who may have murdered her sons and used her 911 call to establish her cover story. Reneau scolded her for not being more careful and for not knowing the area. Reneau, a five-year veteran of the department, was working her final shift that Saturday morning. Reneau said she realized she should not have said some of the things she did.. 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. "I can't swim! 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. The Fort Smith Police Department and Fire Department's investigation likely means former Fort Smith dispatcher Donna Reneau will not face charges. 'It's a tragic thing, I understand that. 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. 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. Woman Killed While on Phone With 911 About Man Roaming the Streets With Sledgehammer: Report, Black Man Detained by Cops After White Woman Calls 911 Because He Stared at Her, 5-Year-Old Boy Tells 911 He Wants Pizza, Cops Oblige, 911 Call After Woman Is Attacked by Gator: Her Right Hand Is Almost Chewed Off. 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. Reneau could be heard telling Stevens to stop crying and calm down. She's under water now.'. 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. Dispatcher begins gathering information. 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.". "I don't see how you didn't see it, you had to go right over it, so.". Police in Fort Smith, Arkansas have issued an apology after a state. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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