Super King Air 200
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 1.5
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Human Factors; Procedure; Staffing
I was working Local and Ground combined to accommodate one hour breaks (standard practice at this facility). A departing Dash 8 reported FOD on the runway; pilot thought it was at the approach end. I immediately called the TRACON and informed them to consider Runway XXR closed due to FOD. I started to taxi aircraft to Runway YY for departure. ZZZ was in and out on Runways XXL and YY (intersecting RWYs). With multiple arrivals (military turboprops and Air Taxi's) to Runways XXL and YY (Lifeguard BE20 and business jets); I worked an intersecting runway operation with Local and Ground combined. The Lifeguard flight missed his taxi instructions and sat on Taxiway B waiting to receive his route. A C172 was confused on his new assignment and was delayed. The pilot did not have an opportunity to query me (frequency congestion) so he too was delayed. I am coordinating with safety vehicle about FOD removal; taxiing aircraft to a new runway and shooting gaps between arrivals and departures on intersecting runways. This is unsafe. This is horrible customer service.I would recommend keeping Ground Control open from 0700 to 2100. In order to do that; the culture of this facility would have to drastically change. One hour breaks and spot leave trump safety and customer service.
Local Controller working Ground combined reported that hour breaks are common at this facility and safety is being jeopardized. Controller was too busy at times and because of this aircraft were delayed.  Controller recommended keeping ground control open during a specific time.