# Agent Talk Down

{% hint style="success" %}
This article is a guide for new Alarms. Refer to this [article](https://app.gitbook.com/s/9tIFgMOGbY4p9wWaKQhl/configuration/agent-talk-down-with-classic-alarms) if you have classic Alarms. See [New Alarms vs Classic Alarms](https://help.verkada.com/new-alarms/getting-started/new-alarms-vs-classic-alarms) if you are unsure which version of Alarms you have.
{% endhint %}

***

**Agent Talk Down** enables remote monitoring agents to use the speaker for live talk-down when an alarm is raised to deter intruders before dispatching authorities.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Supported speakers:** BZ11 horn speaker, all Verkada intercom models. 
{% endhint %}

### Requirements

* If using a BZ11 Horn Speaker:
  * The BZ11 must be paired with the cameras at the alarm site.
  * Cameras paired with the BZ11 must be configured as triggers in the camera partition.
* If using an intercom:
  * **Video Intercom:** The integrated camera must be configured as a trigger in the Camera Partition.\
    **Note:** Agent Talk Down only works if the integrated camera is explicitly added as an alarm trigger.
  * **Audio intercom:** The paired camera must be configured as a trigger in the camera partition.
* The Response Level must be set to **Standard**.

{% hint style="danger" %}
If any of the above requirements are not met, Agent Talk Down may not be properly configured for your site and may not function as expected.
{% endhint %}

***

## Configure Agent Talk Down

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Talk down by agent** is enabled by default if the speaker is paired with a camera that is added as a camera trigger.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Alarms.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Select the Alarms site that you want to configure.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Create a camera** [**partition**](https://help.verkada.com/new-alarms/alarm-sites/configure-partitions#create-a-camera-partition) **and add the cameras associated with the speakers.**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**On the left navigation, select Response > Agent talkdown on triggering camera.**

{% hint style="danger" %}
Talk down by agent is only available for the **Standard** response level.
{% endhint %}

<div align="left" data-with-frame="true"><img src="https://2259276529-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FNU1He6Uj2tgInV2VdCLQ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ac472ddde2941280dc826ec84738e04dad118954%2F97881267b7c2d02a4a1447db7b0b90116da068cb.png?alt=media" alt="" width="546"></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**In the top right, toggle on Talkdown enabled.**

<div align="left" data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://2259276529-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FNU1He6Uj2tgInV2VdCLQ%2Fuploads%2FimWaYkcggFZ4kK9wDfgg%2FScreenshot%202026-02-19%20at%209.57.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e4bd26e1-dfda-45e6-a003-94c4911cd223" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

{% hint style="info" %}
**Prefer to see it in action?** Check out the [video tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff_TxRmg__c).
{% endhint %}