A smart speaker system is used as an emergency notification system. The smart speaker has a loudspeaker, a microphone, a visual display, processing capability, and an emergency flasher in the same enclosure. The smart speaker is in communication with a network-connected server providing at least distribution of emergency notification messages to appropriate clients. The amount of audio processing shared between the smart speaker and the server may vary, depending on the requirements of the installation site. Once an emergency voice communication is detected in the microphone output, the system generates a confirmation message that is played over the loudspeaker. Upon detection of an appropriate voice response from the user, the system generates an emergency response message, sends it to the distribution network, and activates the visual display, loudspeaker, and emergency flasher. Noise cancellation circuitry prevents loudspeaker interference with microphone output.