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. He said the police department would be investigating its policies into responses and their dispatch center in the wake of Stevens' death. Example video title will go here for this video. He needs to be fired. 'Am I not on the phone with you trying to get you some help?' https://t.co/FqdZG2W6zZ pic.twitter.com/nlO9WLILcP, FOX 32 News (@fox32news) August 31, 2019. 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. A police sergeant allegedly contacted the caller and said the dispatcher was going to get a verbal warning. 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. As Stevens began to panic, Reneau's responses . and 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. (KFSM) New information has been released about a former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher criticized for her interactions with a drowning woman. 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. 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. En'Joy" donna reneau dispatcher apology 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. In fact, the evidence shows that while Operator Reneau spoke rudely to Mrs. Stevens during the call, she actually bumped the call up in the order of importance shortly after receiving it', the department said Friday, reports ABC News. Reneau had resigned from the department prior to this incident, . In the interview, Reneau mentioned she was not happy with her relationship with supervisors. Luke Kenton For Dailymail.com 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. Meanwhile, the department's investigation into the matter is ongoing. I don't know why you're freaking out. Is there maybe things we need to look at in our response? Reneau had given her notice two weeks earlier. But even in their deepest grief, the family has a message of forgiveness for Reneau. 'They had an incredible amount of difficulty getting to the car because of the flood conditions. Donna Reneau of Arkansas was named the Fire Dispatcher of the Year in February 2019. Debbie Stevens (left) drowned on Aug. 24 while being scolded by 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau. Dispatcher Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift because she was quitting, abused the poor woman. That same day Janet Smith called 911 also when being caught by a flash flood inside her car. Unfortunately, in the process, she got trapped by flash flooding. 4.54am: Police/fire report difficulty locating vehicle. , updated The family has set up a GoFundMe page to benefit Stevens' husband, Marcus Stevens. "I do think that that played a big role in her death," Diane said. 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. Reneau put in her two weeks notice before the woman's drowning, and. Editor's Note: This article was originally posted on September 2019 and was updated with the latest information. 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. Reneau's interactions with Stevens made national news. 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!' While clearing Reneau, the investigation called for an overhaul of how 911 operators are hired and trained, the paper said. When you call 911, you aren't often worried about being Miss Manners. He said the police department would be investigating its policies into responses and their dispatch center in the wake of Stevens' death. It is so unfortunate that her entire career willbe defined by this single incident. - 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. Dispatcher begins gathering information. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. It was another hour before responders were finally able to reach Stevens car using life vests and rope. FORT SMITH, Ark. Girl, 2, looks star-struck as she presents Kate with a gift of Daffodils for St David's Mike Tindall's latest money-making scheme! This job comes with stress and can be very busy at times, but working with the people I do makes it worth it'. I'm sorry . Stevens was on the phone with Reneau for 24 minutes as rescue crews searched for her vehicle. Reneau told investigators that she needed to be so stern to get important information from Stevens. The 911 call was in EXCESS of 20 minutes. Debra Stevens, 47, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, died after her SUV got stuck in a flash flood while she was delivering newspapers. 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. Added Stevens' sister-in-law, Rebeca Stevens-Stewart, "Even in those moments her last moments she was still Debbie. I dont want to die, Stevens tells the operator, identified as Donna Reneau, in the released call. Debbie Stevens, 47, who was trapped as floodwaters [] She's under water now.'. I dont want to die, she said. Next time don't drive in the water." 5.00am: 911 call is disconnected between caller and dispatch. The investigation was. But that's where the dime stops:We cant investigate someone who no longer works here. I don't know how you didn't see it, you had to go right over it. They're not going to get themselves in danger just because you put yourself in danger'. Baker said 911 had been inundated with calls at the time from people who were also stranded in flood waters. Responders begin trying to get to vehicle, donning life vests and ropes. "She was brokenhearted.". 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". 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. 'You're not going to die. ', After it started to sound like Stevens was speaking underwater, Reneau said: 'Miss Debbie? 5.58am: Rescuers get to vehicle and remove Stevens' body. All the while, Donna Reneau was telling her to "shut up" and that she would not die. 'It's a tragic thing, I understand that. Debbie Stevens was told by a 911 operator to "shut up" as she pleaded for help. 'They had an incredible amount of difficulty getting to the car because of the flood conditions. "This will teach you next time don't drive in the water," Reneau said. 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. "We all heard that. See additional information. FORT SMITH, Ark. 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.. 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. (Jamie Mitchell/The Southwest Times Record via AP) Time was running out for Debra Stevens. 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. 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 water just didn't appear,' Reneau said. Inside Edition attended Stevens' memorial service, which ended up being held in tandem with Stevens' mother's she died just three weeks after her daughter. When asked why she was leaving her position at the police department, Reneau said she wanted to return to school. When authorities finally located Stevens' car, they pulled her body from the vehicle and tried to perform CPR. Did they find her? She told 911: "Please help me, I don't want to die! 4.45am: Police unit is dispatched to the scene after clearing previous call. She's an experienced generalist with a passion for lifestyle, geek news, pop culture, and true crime. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. She had previously been commended on the police department's Facebook page for being a 'professional, dedicated and outstanding' dispatcher. Authorities said that when they did eventually locate her, rising waters made an immediate rescue impossible. 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." 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. I don't know how you didn't see it, you had to go right over it. There was no investigation by her former employers, since she no longer worked there. A 911 operator who lectured a drowning woman for accidentally driving into rising floodwaters in Arkansas and told her to 'shut up' minutes before she died will not be facing charges after an internal investigation. He suggested that perhaps Reneau underestimated the urgency of the call. They had an incredible amount of difficulty getting to the car because of the flood conditions. 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. Would love your thoughts, please comment. 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. Reneau's interactions with Stevens made national news. Baker said Thursday that Donna Reneau was working her final shift Aug. 24, when Debra Stevens died. ", 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. However, an investigation into our policies, our responses, our dispatch center, Ive talked to the fire chief. 4.54am: Police/fire report difficulty locating vehicle. 'It's a tragic thing, I understand that. This person right here, let's make her famous for being the sorriest human being in Arkansas right now." Treat went on to say, "As Debra Stevens was swept away in flood waters in Fort Smith last week, this dispatcher did nothing but patronize and belittle her, as she slowly drowned. Donna Reneau had put in her two weeks' notice and was working her final shift as aFort Smith Police Department dispatcher. Female carer who bit off part of a pub landlady's ear during vicious bar brawl is jailed for 14 months. 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. Until August 2019, Reneau had an extremely stressful job. 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. 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. 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. 'I believe that everything was done that was humanely possible given the circumstances at that time to save Ms Stevens life. 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. When Stevens explained that she hadnt seen the water coming before her car was swept up in it, Reneau made no attempt to mask her disbelief. She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. The family of a woman who drowned while . 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. 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. Reneau said, "The ability to help people in a time of an emergency." 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. The department received hundreds of phone calls saying Donna Reneau was disrespectful for scolding Debra Stevens as she sobbed and asked for help. Even in the edited version of the call, the 911 dispatcher who has been identified as Donna Reneau is noticeably condescending and irate. She was not criminally charged in the death of 47-year-old Debra Stevens'. 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. By She also stated that she liked the family-oriented atmosphere. First Published: 10:49 AM PDT, September 25, 2019. "I don't see how you didn't see it, you had to go right over it, so.". 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