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. The content produced by YourTango is for informational and educational purposes only. "I don't see how you didn't see it, you had to go right over it, so.". Reneau responded. 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. The dispatcher told her to "shut up" & "Well, this will teach you. She was not criminally charged in the death of 47-year-old Debra Stevens'. She regretted telling her she was not going to die most of all, but she also regretted not being more kind and understanding, the report stated. 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. When asked what would better work conditions at the police department Reneau said she wanted to answer with a quote. Operator Donna Reneau took that call at 4:38am. Reneau could be heard telling Stevens to stop crying and calm down. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. 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 (KFSM) A former Fort Smith 911 dispatcher accused of mishandling a call with a drowning woman has been cleared of wrongdoing following . We call on Fort Smith Police Department and Fort Smith city officials to investigate and prosecute Donna Reneau for these crimes that led to this woman's death in failing to do her job. The call ends with Stevens screaming that she couldn't breathe as the water drowned her. 'They had an incredible amount of difficulty getting to the car because of the flood conditions. By: News 9. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. 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. I'm going to drown! Police in Fort Smith, Arkansas have issued an apology after a state. Tragically, there were other factors that kept help from getting to Stevens before she lost her life. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. I don't know why you're freaking out.". By Luke Kenton and Emily Crane For Dailymail.com, Published: 16:27 GMT, 31 August 2019 | Updated: 06:41 GMT, 23 December 2019. When you call 911, you aren't often worried about being Miss Manners. Forget turnipsnow eat SQUIRREL! Her emergency call appeared to annoy 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau, who decided to lecture Stevens. Reneau's interactions with Stevens made national news. A paper delivery woman who drove into a flooded area drowned after being reprimanded by a now-former 911 dispatcher. I'm horribly sorry that it wasn't possible'. Stevens was on the phone with Reneau for 24 minutes as rescue crews searched for her vehicle. 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. 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. 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. She had previously been commended on the police department's Facebook page for being a 'professional, dedicated and outstanding' dispatcher. This story was reported from Cincinnati. She begged for the dispatcher to send help and said she was scared. 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'm scared. Stevens: "Please help me. 17 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from 'donnareneau' hashtag Comprendre La Gamme Pentatonique, https images ght bo fr hia clermont tonnerre, chute verticale avec frottement exercices, cours de communication professionnelle ppt, test antignique moins douloureux que pcr, Tisane Hibiscus Mlisse Feuille De Mrier Bienfait, american pie : campus en folie personnage. 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." By the time rescue crews were able to secure the car, Stevens had drowned. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All Rights Reserved. She was later found dead. 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. 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. Luke Kenton For Dailymail.com 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. A date has not been set for a memorial service for Stevens. It is not clear if Stevens' 911 call was the last one she took. All Rights Reserved. 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. 4.41am: Fire department is dispatched to the scene. By Rebecca Jane Stokes Written on May 24, 2020. 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. 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. 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 . 4.54am: Police/fire report difficulty locating vehicle. Published August 31, 2019. Absolutely', he said. We call for the investigation and criminal prosecution of Donna Reneau for her crimes of negligence and ignoring this woman's pleas for help as she drowned in her vehicle in the flood waters. ", "Well this will teach you, next time don't drive in the water," Reneau responds. "She said, 'Please come help me, pull me out of the water, I'm stranded and I don't want to die today. She's a former 911 dispatcher who used to save lives with her calls daily. 911 dispatcher who scolded drowning woman won't face charges - ABC News. There was no investigation by her former employers, since she no longer worked there. Will you do the same? She told Baker and Solis she would consider a part-time position with the department. https://t.co/6w4OjW3sv2, Ali McGinnis (@AliRoland) August 31, 2019. All of our first responders who attempted to save Mrs. Stevens are distraught over the outcome. 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. Debbie Stevens (left) drowned on Aug. 24 while being scolded by 911 dispatcher Donna Reneau. Congratulations to Donna Reneau for being selected as the Fire Dispatcher of the Year! Youre not going to die. 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. 911 dispatcher, Donna Reneau, who was working her last shift after putting in her two weeks notice, is under fire for her "uncaring" response. Newly released 911 audio reveals the final moments of an Arkansas newspaper delivery woman as she drowned in her car. Stevens had been. 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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. So calm down'. 'You're not the only one who has been stuck in the water. Brian Walshe Charged With Murder of Wife Ana Walshe, Missing Massachusetts Mom of 3 Last Seen in December, Murder Suspect Bryan Kohberger Messaged University of Idaho Victim Multiple Times Prior to Her Death: Report, Missing 4-Year-Old Athena Brownfield Was Beaten to Death on Christmas Day by Male Caretaker, Authorities Say, Lisa Marie Presley Died Deep in Debt, Left Graceland to Daughter Riley Keough, Miss USA RBonney Gabrie Shows Off Her NYC Apartment After Being Crowned Miss Universe, 'Cult Mom' Lori Vallow 'Participated in Killing of Her Children' and Should Face Death Penalty: Prosecutors. He said this emphasizes the need for more telecommunication training. 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