A textual notification device includes a display for presenting either emergency information or non-emergency information received at the network interface of the textual notification device. The textual notification device also includes an alert mechanism for generating an alert signal alerting occupants to the presentation of emergency information. The textual notification device can be incorporated in an emergency system that includes an emergency panel and a secondary system. The emergency panel provides the emergency information to the textual notification device for display. The secondary system provides the non-emergency information to the textual notification device for display. In one embodiment, the emergency system includes an addressable channel enabling the separate addressing of the display and the alert mechanism(s).