# Agent Talk Down

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This article is a guide for new Alarms. Refer to this [article](/classic-alarms/configuration/agent-talk-down-with-classic-alarms.md) if you have classic Alarms. See [New Alarms vs Classic Alarms](/new-alarms/getting-started/new-alarms-vs-classic-alarms.md) if you are unsure which version of Alarms you have.
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***

**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.

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**Supported speakers:** BZ11 horn speaker, all Verkada intercom models. 
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### 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**.

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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.
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***

## Configure Agent Talk Down

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**Talk down by agent** is enabled by default if the speaker is paired with a camera that is added as a camera trigger.
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{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Alarms.**
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**Select the Alarms site that you want to configure.**
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{% step %}
**Create a camera** [**partition**](/new-alarms/configuration/alarm-sites/configure-partitions.md#create-a-camera-partition) **and add the cameras associated with the speakers.**
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**On the left navigation, select Response > Agent talkdown on triggering camera.**

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Talk down by agent is only available for the **Standard** response level.
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<div align="left" data-with-frame="true"><img src="/files/etjEYwc4o5KCBd5yaF4o" alt="" width="546"></div>
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{% step %}
**In the top right, toggle on Talkdown enabled.**

<div align="left" data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/owIdIB3mQoLSHYWDLbEr" 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).
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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.verkada.com/new-alarms/configuration/agent-talk-down.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.