diff --git a/pico-dashboard/ui/alarm_view_model.py b/pico-dashboard/ui/alarm_view_model.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..86adc84
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pico-dashboard/ui/alarm_view_model.py
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+from alarms.alarm_definitions import (
+    BATTERY_SOC_LOW,
+    BATTERY_VOLTAGE_LOW,
+    FRIDGE_ZONE_1_HIGH,
+    FRIDGE_ZONE_2_HIGH,
+    SENSOR_FAILURE,
+    COMMUNICATION_LOST,
+)
+
+
+ALARM_LABELS = {
+    BATTERY_SOC_LOW: "Battery SOC Low",
+    BATTERY_VOLTAGE_LOW: "Battery Voltage Low",
+    FRIDGE_ZONE_1_HIGH: "Fridge Zone 1 High Temp",
+    FRIDGE_ZONE_2_HIGH: "Fridge Zone 2 High Temp",
+    COMMUNICATION_LOST: "ESP32 Communication Lost",
+}
+
+
+CRITICAL_ALARMS = {
+    BATTERY_SOC_LOW,
+    BATTERY_VOLTAGE_LOW,
+    FRIDGE_ZONE_1_HIGH,
+    FRIDGE_ZONE_2_HIGH,
+    COMMUNICATION_LOST,
+}
+
+
+class AlarmViewModel:
+    def __init__(self, alarms):
+        self.alarms = alarms or []
+
+    def count(self):
+        return len(self.alarms)
+
+    def has_alarms(self):
+        return self.count() > 0
+
+    def has_critical(self):
+        return any(self._base_alarm(alarm) in CRITICAL_ALARMS for alarm in self.alarms)
+
+    def should_buzz(self):
+        return self.has_critical()
+
+    def primary_alarm(self):
+        if not self.alarms:
+            return None
+
+        return self.format_alarm(self.alarms[0])
+
+    def as_list(self):
+        return [self.format_alarm(alarm) for alarm in self.alarms]
+
+    def format_alarm(self, alarm):
+        base = self._base_alarm(alarm)
+
+        if base == SENSOR_FAILURE:
+            sensor = alarm.split(":", 1)[1] if ":" in alarm else "unknown"
+            return {
+                "code": alarm,
+                "severity": "warning",
+                "title": "Sensor Failure",
+                "detail": sensor.replace("_", " ").title(),
+            }
+
+        return {
+            "code": alarm,
+            "severity": "critical" if base in CRITICAL_ALARMS else "info",
+            "title": ALARM_LABELS.get(base, alarm),
+            "detail": None,
+        }
+
+    def _base_alarm(self, alarm):
+        return alarm.split(":", 1)[0]
diff --git a/tests/test_pico_core.py b/tests/test_pico_core.py
index c5a3e75..72d4195 100644
--- a/tests/test_pico_core.py
+++ b/tests/test_pico_core.py
@@ -583,3 +583,48 @@ def test_system_view_model():
     assert vm["wifi_api"] == "Available"
     assert vm["sensors"] == "3 / 4 OK"
     assert vm["ignition"] == "Off"
+
+
+def test_alarm_view_model_no_alarms():
+    from ui.alarm_view_model import AlarmViewModel
+
+    vm = AlarmViewModel([])
+
+    assert vm.count() == 0
+    assert vm.has_alarms() is False
+    assert vm.has_critical() is False
+    assert vm.should_buzz() is False
+    assert vm.primary_alarm() is None
+    assert vm.as_list() == []
+
+
+def test_alarm_view_model_critical_alarm():
+    from ui.alarm_view_model import AlarmViewModel
+
+    vm = AlarmViewModel(["fridge_zone_1_high"])
+
+    assert vm.count() == 1
+    assert vm.has_alarms() is True
+    assert vm.has_critical() is True
+    assert vm.should_buzz() is True
+
+    primary = vm.primary_alarm()
+
+    assert primary["severity"] == "critical"
+    assert primary["title"] == "Fridge Zone 1 High Temp"
+
+
+def test_alarm_view_model_sensor_failure():
+    from ui.alarm_view_model import AlarmViewModel
+
+    vm = AlarmViewModel(["sensor_failure:outside"])
+
+    assert vm.has_alarms() is True
+    assert vm.has_critical() is False
+    assert vm.should_buzz() is False
+
+    alarm = vm.primary_alarm()
+
+    assert alarm["severity"] == "warning"
+    assert alarm["title"] == "Sensor Failure"
+    assert alarm["detail"] == "Outside"