Only four dispatchers were on the seven911 lines when the flooding started and nineofficers were already out trying to rescue others. Reneau does not face any criminal charges in Stevens' death. 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. Unfortunately, what she's going to be remembered for more than all the calls where she maybe actually helped people is one of the last calls of her career where she berated a drowning woman named Debra Stevens who called 911 for help after getting caught up in a flash flood. 'It's a tragic thing, I understand that. 'Am I not on the phone with you trying to get you some help?' 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. 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. Debra Stevens, 47, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, died after her SUV got stuck in a flash flood while she was delivering newspapers. She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. Debbie Stevens, 47, who was trapped as floodwaters [] She had previously been commended on the police department's Facebook page for being a 'professional, dedicated and outstanding' dispatcher. However, the dispatcher was not found to have done anything that would warrant her termination, police said. Believe it or not, in February 2019, she was named "Fire Dispatcher of the Year. 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. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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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". Responders begin trying to get to vehicle, donning life vests and ropes. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 4.41am: Fire department is dispatched to the scene. The first crews arrived on the scene about ten minutes later but had difficulty identifying Stevens exact location due to the high waters. Every police officer on duty is busy on other calls. 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? 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. Stevens, 47, drowned as she begged Reneau to send someone to rescue her. ", 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. 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. 5.00am: 911 call is disconnected between caller and dispatch. She says the vehicle is now moving in the water'. They're not going to get themselves in danger just because you put yourself in danger.'. 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. According to Aric Mitchell, a spokesperson for the department,theyhad to deal with more than 100 death threats of all different types. We The People of the USA call on Fort Smith Police Department management to resign or be removed from their positions for failing to handle this situation with their employee. See additional information. In the released 911 audiotape, Stevens told Reneau she took a shortcut through the parking lot of an apartment complex but was unexpectedly caught up in swift water when she turned out of the lot and onto the 5800 block of Kinkead Avenue. Debra Stevens, 47, had been delivering newspapers in the early hours of August 24 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, when she accidentally drove into rising flood waters that swept her SUV off the road. We've received your submission. 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 views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Please help me. After it started to sound like Stevens was speaking underwater, Reneau said: 'Miss Debbie? First Published: 10:49 AM PDT, September 25, 2019. Reneau had given her notice two weeks earlier. By: News 9. 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. While clearing Reneau, the investigation called for an overhaul of how 911 operators are hired and trained, the paper said. "I don't know why you are freaking out. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. Forget turnipsnow eat SQUIRREL! 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. Reneau responded. This petition starter stood up and took action. 06:54 GMT 23 Dec 2019 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. 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. 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. Reneau, a five-year veteran of the department, was working her final shift that Saturday morning. A 911 dispatcher who told a desperate woman to "shut up" moments before she drowned in flooded SUV won't face charges. When asked, "What did you like most about your job?" 'To know you have helped someone that needed it gives you a great feeling. Responders begin trying to get to vehicle, donning life vests and ropes. 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. Youre not going to die. She worked in Fort Smith, Arkansas as a 911 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. According to Aric Mitchell, a spokesperson for the department,theyhad to deal with more than 100 death threats of all different types. All of our first responders who attempted to save Mrs. Stevens are distraught over the outcome. When asked why she was leaving her position at the police department, Reneau said she wanted to return to school. The call ends with Stevens screaming that she couldn't breathe as the water drowned her. 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. We are looking at what we can do to increase training for our dispatchers, swift water rescues, and other things.. A date has not been set for a memorial service for Stevens. and 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. 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. 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. Newly released 911 audio reveals the final moments of an Arkansas newspaper delivery woman as she drowned in her car. Did they find her? I'm horribly sorry that it wasn't possible.'. 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." She also said another reason for her leaving was she felt like there was no way to "move up" within the department. A . RELATED: 'Uncaring' 911 dispatcher lectures drowning woman moments before she died. 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 She was also heard in the call telling Stevens to "shut up.". vtskeersttning resorb. Thank you for your dedicated service Donna!. 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. 5NEWS has obtained an exit interview Donna Reneau had with the Fort Smith Police Department four days after the incident. 'You're not going to die. 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." 5.58am: Rescuers get to vehicle and remove Stevens' body. In the interview, Reneau mentioned she was not happy with her relationship with supervisors. 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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'. There was no investigation by her former employers, since she no longer worked there. 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. I'm going to drown! Reputation management expert reveals why it doesn't just happen to How did Russia lose HALF of its 45,000 elite paratroopers in just seven months? 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift after putting in her two weeks notice, is under fire for her "uncaring" response. Please help me. "We'll get you help and get you out of there." He said this emphasizes the need for more telecommunication training. 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. 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. 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. Reneau was on her last day as a 911 operator when the call was made, having turned in her notice two weeks earlier. 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. 4.54am: Police/fire report difficulty locating vehicle. 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. . Stevens first called Diane when she became trapped. 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's a former 911 dispatcher who used to save lives with her calls daily. 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. I don't know how you didn't see it, you had to go right over it. But Reneau's handling of the dying woman's call has opened a . 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. 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. 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 believe that everything was done that was humanely possible given the circumstances at that time to save Ms Stevens life. I'm gonna drown,'" Diane recalled. and Baker ordered the review even though the caller chose not to file a formal complaint against the dispatcher, according to a Fort Smith Police Department news release. and To leave an online tribute, visitwww.edwardsfuneralhome.com. Thank you for your dedicated service Donna'! We are looking at what we can do to increase training for our dispatchers, swift water rescues, and other things.. Stevens, 47, had. For every one of us, saving lives is at the very core of who we are and why we do what we do. The dispatcher hung up. September 25, 2019 call is disconnected between caller and dispatch for not being careful... For her leaving was she felt like there was no way to `` move ''. 47, drowned as she drowned in her notice two weeks earlier trained, the investigation called an... The outcome PDT, September 25, 2019 found to have done anything that would warrant her termination, said! 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