Fire incidents are quite common too. First responders often face intense heat, thick smoke, and the risk of buildings collapsing. They may also encounter situations where people are trapped in burning buildings and they have to risk their lives to save them. These types of situations can be extremely difficult and often result in some very horrible experiences for first responders.
Medical emergencies in remote areas can be quite horrific. For example, a hiker might have a serious injury far from any hospital. First responders have to carry the necessary equipment and hike to the location, all while the patient's condition might be worsening. Also, terrorist attacks are unfortunately common in some areas. Responders have to deal with mass casualties and the threat of further danger.
One common type is the back - stabbing friend. They might pretend to be your friend but then talk behind your back, like sharing your secrets or spreading lies about you. Another is the selfish friend who only thinks about their own needs and uses you for things like rides or money. And there's also the jealous friend who tries to undermine your achievements, for example, if you get a promotion at work, they might say it was just luck and not your hard work.
Often, horrible kid stories involve accidents. Like a kid falling from a tree while trying to get a ball and getting seriously injured. Also, stories of kids being left alone in a strange place can be quite horrible. It's a very scary situation for a young child who depends on adults for safety.
Physical violence is unfortunately also common. Gangs or individuals targeting gay people for beatings, just like in the story where a gay couple was attacked on the street. Also, exclusion from social groups or family. Many gay people are shunned by their families or not allowed to participate in family events because of their orientation. This can be extremely hurtful and isolating.
I know of a story where first responders were called to a construction site accident. A worker had fallen from a great height. When they got there, they saw the man's injuries were extremely severe. They had to do their best to stabilize him while waiting for the helicopter ambulance. But the man passed away before it could arrive. It was a very sad and horrible experience for those first responders.
One common one is the first time driving a car alone. You might get into a minor accident or make a lot of mistakes on the road. Another is the first time cooking a big meal. You could burn the food or forget to add important ingredients. Also, the first time camping can be horrible if you forget essential items like a tent pole or if it rains and you're not well - prepared.
One common element is the sense of urgency. In many horror stories, first responders are racing against time to save lives, like in cases of severe accidents or heart attacks. Another is the danger of the situation, such as fires, collapsing buildings, or violent scenes.
One common type is about hidden structural problems. For example, a house might look fine on the outside but has a cracked foundation that the buyer discovers only after purchase. Another type is false advertising. Like when a realtor claims a property has a large backyard but in reality it's just a small patch of grass. Also, there are stories about bad landlords who don't maintain the property or who harass tenants.
One that stands out is when a first responder was called to an old mental asylum. He heard unexplained screams and banging on the walls as he walked through the dark corridors. It was terrifying as there was no logical explanation for the noises.
A really inspiring Verizon first responder story might be one where they managed to get communication back up in a remote area after an earthquake. It was a difficult task due to the damaged infrastructure, but they persisted and made it possible for the rescue teams to communicate with the base and for the survivors to reach out to the outside world.