Dad's Quest for Paramedic Safety Laws Gains Momentum

Jeff Tougher never imagined he'd become an advocate, but grief has a way of redirecting our energy toward purpose.

Since his son Steven's death in 2023, Jeff and his wife Jill have visited ambulance stations across New South Wales, speaking with more than 1,000 paramedics about their experiences. What started as a father's mission to honor his son has uncovered a widespread problem that many in the profession felt they couldn't discuss openly.

"When the fanfare died down, they'd start to pull you aside," Jeff said. "They'd say, 'I need to talk to you about this. This is what happened to me and I'm not being supported.'"

The conversations revealed paramedics being told to "suck it up" after violent incidents. NSW Ambulance figures show violence against staff is rising, with 1,500 incidents reported in just the first eight months of 2026, compared to 1,376 for all of 2025.

But Jeff's advocacy is creating change. NSW Ambulance has now established a dedicated occupational violence prevention team, expanded safety training, and improved how incidents are reported and reviewed.

The community response has been overwhelming. At a recent fundraiser at Woonona Bowling Club, hundreds showed up dressed in Steven's favorite color. The room filled with laughter, prizes, and people determined to support the family's mission.

"Stevie was so much more than what happened to him," Jill told the crowd. "This is right up his alley: a big party, everyone having fun and still helping the community."

Jeff admits the middle-of-the-night doubts creep in. He worries about saying the wrong thing or offending politicians whose support he needs. "Am I that pest? I never wanted to be that pest," he said.

Why This Inspires

Jeff transformed the most devastating experience a parent can face into a force for protecting others. By creating space for paramedics to share their stories, he's breaking the silence around workplace violence in emergency services. His willingness to negotiate and find compromise while keeping his son's legacy alive shows how personal tragedy can spark systemic change.

What began as one father's grief has become a movement that's making frontline work safer for thousands.