A method of operating a doorbell system can include receiving, by a remote computing device, a notification of an emergency event and in response to the receiving, illuminating at least one light of a doorbell to indicate an occurrence of the emergency event. The method can further include, in response to receiving the notification, initiating a communication with an emergency dispatcher and/or an emergency contact. The at least one light can illuminate in a variety of colors and illumination patterns corresponding to the type of emergency event.