No Aircraft
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 2
Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Company Policy; Human Factors; Manuals
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.
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.