Hearts For Service: Tereska Johnson

When you first meet Tereska Johnson - though most people just call her "Terry"- you quickly sense the warmth and steadiness that have carried her through a life full of moves, changes, and growth. Today, she is the Accounts Payable Technician for the Chesapeake Fire Department (CFD), a role she has held since November 2019. But behind the title is a story of community and commitment to supporting the people around her.

Terry's role as a proud military spouse is the path that ultimately paved the way to the City of Chesapeake. Originally from South Carolina, she spent decades raising her three sons while moving between duty stations. Life took her to Virginia Beach and then Maryland, before she and her family finally put down roots in Chesapeake.

"Once we moved to Chesapeake, I was looking for an opportunity to work part-time," she recalls. "When I learned CFD was hiring for this position, I was excited to go for it." Her background in accounts payable at Andrews Air Force Base and in property management gave her the skills she needed, but it was her positivity and willingness to learn something new that landed her with CFD.

"Sure enough, it worked out in my favor. I've not looked back since," she says with a smile. "It's more than just the work because I really do like what I'm doing. For me, it's about getting to know the people in the department, the chiefs, the recruits, and just being part of the fire family here in Chesapeake. I get to see people starting their careers and growing in them. Their dedication is so admirable, and I'm proud to be in the background, supporting them in any way I can."

Her role receiving invoices, entering them into the system, ensuring payments go through, is critical to keeping the stations stocked with the supplies firefighters need to do their jobs.

"It's a big responsibility," she says. "At the end of the day, I know what I do helps them carry out their life-saving work."

That appreciation runs both ways. From the day she arrived, Terry says she was welcomed with open arms by her colleagues and by citizens who light up when they hear she's part of the CFD team.

"The level of respect people have for this department is incredible," she explains. "Programs like Mobile Integrated Health show just how dedicated our firefighters are to this community. They're always training, always learning, always looking for ways to serve better."

Beyond her desk, Terry has embraced Chesapeake as the perfect home. After years of living in more bustling areas, moving to the slower pace of Chesapeake felt like a gift.

"It has that small-town feel, even though it's not exactly small. We just have everything we need right here. It's quiet, peaceful, and just feels right for us."

Whether she's at work carrying out her responsibilities, out walking and enjoying the fresh air, or nurturing her faith as part of a loving church community, Terry feels like the City of Chesapeake helps keep her grounded.

"This community just hits all the marks for me, all the important things in life. I feel really lucky."

In a department defined by teamwork and service, Terry has found her place as part of the heartbeat that keeps Chesapeake's fire family strong.