An emergency alert system is described. The emergency alert system comprises at least one alert device; a control module connected to the alert device for managing the emergency alert system 5 through radio frequency communications over a radio link; and a portable remote-control unit for sending a signal to the control module, via the radio link, upon a user activating the remote-control unit to trigger an emergency alert using the alert device, wherein the control module is used to determine a physical location of the portable remote-control unit via the radio link in the event of the emergency alert being triggered.