Narrative:

I came in for duty on my regularly scheduled shift. I called the supervisor on duty for a position assignment. The supervisor asked if I had worked the position yet with the radar in the fused mode. I told him that I had not and I was not aware of any changes that might have occurred at that position. He instructed me to grab the read and initial binder; take it with me to the position; and read all of the new changes and separation minima required to work that position while on that position. Apparently; there is a new radar site that allows the facility to have radar coverage in an area we previously did not. In doing so; it changed the way we see the targets and requires us to have different separation minima. The supervisor is notorious for poorly managing a shift rotation and controllers tend to be left on position consistently over two hours. This was the case; again; when I came in for duty. The supervisor was in what appeared to be in a panic-like state; and wanted me on the position so the previous controller did not work too long past two hours. I believe that we consistently work with minimum staffing on [some] nights without overtime being considered. With more people assigned to the shift; the supervisor on duty will be able to accomplish extra duties like having the controllers read and initial pertinent information. I think an emphasis on communication would greatly enhance this facility. I believe that a new radar site with new separation minima is quite substantial; yet I had no idea this had happened; nor had I known until I signed on and began working this position with the requirement of reading the several page information binder detailing the changes.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A TRACON Controller reported not recieving any instructions or briefing about a new radar site and a significant radar software system upgrade including new separation standards prior to its implementation.

Narrative: I came in for duty on my regularly scheduled shift. I called the Supervisor on duty for a position assignment. The Supervisor asked if I had worked the position yet with the radar in the fused mode. I told him that I had not and I was not aware of any changes that might have occurred at that position. He instructed me to grab the read and initial binder; take it with me to the position; and read all of the new changes and separation minima required to work that position while on that position. Apparently; there is a new radar site that allows the facility to have radar coverage in an area we previously did not. In doing so; it changed the way we see the targets and requires us to have different separation minima. The supervisor is notorious for poorly managing a shift rotation and controllers tend to be left on position consistently over two hours. This was the case; again; when I came in for duty. The supervisor was in what appeared to be in a panic-like state; and wanted me on the position so the previous controller did not work too long past two hours. I believe that we consistently work with minimum staffing on [some] nights without overtime being considered. With more people assigned to the shift; the Supervisor on duty will be able to accomplish extra duties like having the controllers read and initial pertinent information. I think an emphasis on communication would greatly enhance this facility. I believe that a new radar site with new separation minima is quite substantial; yet I had no idea this had happened; nor had I known until I signed on and began working this position with the requirement of reading the several page information binder detailing the changes.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.