Tommy’s perpetual plastic pain is their learning opportunity

Health Department’s realistic unit simulates severe injuries to enhance life-saving skills

The Hamilton County Health Department has acquired the TOMManikin-GSW, also known as “Tommy,” to help public safety agencies prepare for critical emergencies.

“Real-world incidents have shown a trained and prepared public can provide rapid interventions to save the injured prior to first responder arrival,” said Christian Walker, Public Health Preparedness Coordinator. “Tommy will enhance these trainings to assist in overall community preparedness.”

Tommy features a heavy steel frame and interchangeable body parts that replicate catastrophic wounds, such as amputations and burns. This durable build allows instructors to stage authentic trauma situations in diverse settings, ranging from standard classrooms to intense field simulations. By mimicking a reactive patient, the unit enables law enforcement and fire departments to practice Tactical Emergency Casualty Care under realistic conditions.

Purchased with grant funding at the request of local fire departments, Tommy will be accessible to all Hamilton County public safety agencies for high-severity injury training. Additionally, the unit will assist Health Department staff in teaching the “Stop the Bleed” curriculum, improving residents’ abilities to provide immediate care during catastrophic events.