The MVO works closely with the following committees and Government agencies:

• National Disaster Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee (NDPRAC)
• Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA)
• Government of Montserrat (GoM)
• Governor's Office
• Montserrat Police Service
• Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)

National Disaster Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee (NDPRAC)

The NDPRAC manages the response to all natural disasters which may affect Montserrat, including volcanic eruptions. Membership of NDPRAC includes the Governor, Government Ministers and senior civil servants. The Director of MVO attends NDPRAC meetings on volcanic eruptions. NDPRAC sets the volcanic Hazard Level and any restrictions on access. Anyone requiring access to a restricted area must obtain permission from NDPRAC.

Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA)

The DMCA is the GoM agency responsible for operational crisis management and implements decisions taken by the NDPRAC. The DMCA is represented on the MVO's Board of Operations and the NDPRAC. The DMCA ensures that the public is educated on the Hazard Level System and on actions to be taken when the Siren is sounded. The DMCA is also responsible for informing the public when the Hazard Level changes. The MVO supports the DMCA with public education activities on volcanic hazards.

Government of Montserrat (GoM)

The Montserrat Chief Minister is co-chair of the MVO Board of Directors which determines the Observatory's overall policy and objectives. The GoM is also represented on the MVO Board of Operations and the NDPRAC.

Governor's Office

The Governor is part of the NDPRAC and is also co-chair of the MVO Board of Directors which determines the Observatory's overall policy and objectives. The Head of the Governor's Office chairs the MVO Board of Operations.

Montserrat Police Service

The Montserrat Police Service is represented on the NDPRAC. The Police are responsible for sounding the Siren in the event of increased volcanic activity and for ensuring that unauthorized persons do not enter the exclusion zone.

Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)

The SAC is a group of independent international experts commissioned by the Overseas Territories Department (OTD) of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to carry out regular hazard and risk assessment of the Soufrière Hills Volcano in co-operation with the MVO. It reports to HMG and the GoM and provides scientific advice at the strategic level to Her Majesty's Government (HMG) and the Government of Montserrat outside their regular assessments done in co-operation with the MVO. The SAC also provides independent advice on the scientific and technical operations of the MVO and provides scientific advice and assistance to the MVO as required by the MVO Director. The SAC meets every six months and produces scientific assessments of the risks posed by the volcano to areas of the island or sea bordering the volcano. Ad-hoc interim assessments may be produced in response to requests from GoM.

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