> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.verkada.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.verkada.com/new-alarms/configuration/configure-an-alarm-response.md).
# Configure an Alarm Response
{% hint style="success" %}
This article is a guide for new Alarms. Refer to this [article](/classic-alarms/configuration/configure-classic-alarms-site-settings.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.
{% endhint %}
***
## Configuration
{% hint style="warning" %}
Multiple partitions can share the same alarm response. Events from these partitions flow into a single alarm during an alarm-raised event.
{% endhint %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Alarms.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Select the Alarm site that you want to configure.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**On the left navigation, select Response.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Next to Alarm Response, click** :plus-large:**.**
1. Enter a unique name.
2. (Optional) Toggle on [**Silent Alarm**](#user-content-fn-1)[^1]**.**
3. Select a [response mode](#user-content-fn-2)[^2] to define how the system responds when the alarm is triggered.
4. Select who should be contacted during this alarm. By default, the user who creates the alarm site is added as an alarm contact.
1. Click :plus: **Add Contact**.
2. Select a Command user from the list.
3. Under **Contact via,** choose how each contact will be notified:
* SMS (required and enabled by default)
* Email (optional)
4. Click **Add**.
5. Click **Save.**
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
{% hint style="info" %}
**Automated Phone Call:** For **Video Verification Only** response flows, you can enable automated phone calls during an alarm. Enable this option under the **Contacts will be notified** section of the Response Level.
Each user is called twice in the specified order and can:
* Resolve the alarm and disarm the partition, or
* Acknowledge the alarm to manage it via the incident link or Command, which stops further calls to additional users.
**Automated calls are available in English, French, and Spanish.**
{% endhint %}
***
### Edit an Alarm Response
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Move partitions" %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Alarms.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Select the Alarm site that you want to edit.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**On the left navigation, select Response.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**On the left, drag and drop partitions to move them between alarm responses.**
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Change Response Level" %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Alarms.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Select the Alarm site that you want to edit.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**On the left navigation, select Response > your Response Level.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**In the top right, select a new response mode from the dropdown.**
* **Self-Monitored:** The internal security team reviews incidents and contacts emergency services directly without monitoring center involvement. This option is ideal for organizations with internal SOC teams or for events that require rapid response without police dispatch, such as Door Held Open (DHO) events, water leak sensors, or maintenance alarms. See [Self Monitored Response Level](/new-alarms/configuration/configure-an-alarm-response/self-monitored-response-level.md) for more information.
* **Video Verification Only:** The system notifies contacts via SMS and **does not** dispatch emergency services.
* **Standard:** The system calls contacts first, then dispatches emergency services.
* **Immediate Dispatch:** The system dispatches emergency services first, then calls contacts.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Manage contacts" %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Alarms.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Select the Alarm site that you want to edit.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**On the left navigation, select Response > your Response Level.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Select** **Contacts will be notified. From here you can:**
* **Add:**
1. In the top right, click :plus:.
2. Select a Command user from the list.
3. Under **Contact via,** choose how each contact will be notified:
* SMS (required and enabled by default)
* Email (optional)
4. Click **Add**.
* **Edit:**
1. Hover over a contact and click :pencil-line:.
2. Edit the contact as needed.
3. Click **Save.**
* **Reorder:** Click and drag a contact to the desired position.
* **Remove:** Hover over a contact, then click :x:.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Delete" %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Alarms.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Select the Alarm site that you want to edit.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**On the left navigation, select Response > your Response Level.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**Move all partitions to another alarm response.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
**In the top right, click** :ellipsis: **> Remove Response.**
Click **Yes** to confirm.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
***
### Additional settings
Variations of the following options will be available based on your chosen response level.
* **Deterrence**: Use [AI-powered Deterrence](/new-alarms/configuration/configure-ai-powered-deterrence.md) to deter unwanted activity before an alarm is raised.
* **Verification by agent via video:** Contains the cameras used as triggers and those used for video verification for configured sensors.
* **Agent Talkdown on triggering camera (Only available in Standard response flow):** Enable talk down and select the context camera.
* **Automated Announcement:** Enable automatic announcement over selected BZ-11 speakers when an alarm is raised.
1. Click **No automated announcement.**
2. Toggle on **Announcement**.
3. Choose the message source:
1. **Text-to-Speech** – type the announcement you want played.
**Note:** There is a 500-character limit.
2. **Audio File** – upload an MP3 file.
**Note:** There is a 5 MB upload limit.
4. Select the BZ-11 speaker(s) to play the message.
5. **Testing the automated announcement**: Click **Preview** to play the announcement on your computer or local device, or press **Test on Speakers** to play it through the BZ-11 speaker.
6. The message will be played through the selected speakers when an alarm is raised in the configured alarm response.
{% hint style="warning" %}
* **AI-powered deterrence** plays a message through a speaker to deter unwanted activity **before** an alarm is raised.
* **Automated announcement** plays a message through a speaker **after** an alarm is raised.
{% endhint %}
[^1]: Silent alarms allow site staff to discreetly request help without any on-site indication that an alarm has been triggered. This helps staff avoid escalating critical situations while signaling for assistance.
Silent alarms are commonly used with panic buttons.
See [Configure Silent and Duress Alarm Responses](/new-alarms/configuration/configure-an-alarm-response/configure-silent-and-duress-alarm-responses.md) for more information.
[^2]: * **Self-Monitored:** The internal security team reviews incidents and contacts emergency services directly without monitoring center involvement. This option is ideal for organizations with internal SOC teams or for events that require rapid response without police dispatch, such as Door Held Open (DHO) events, water leak sensors, or maintenance alarms. See [Self Monitored Response Level](/new-alarms/configuration/configure-an-alarm-response/self-monitored-response-level.md) for more information.
* **Video Verification Only:** The system notifies contacts via SMS and **does not** dispatch emergency services.
* **Standard:** The system calls contacts first, then dispatches emergency services.
* **Immediate Dispatch:** The system dispatches emergency services first, then calls contacts.
---
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