Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Defense Veterans Emergency Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Brig. Gen. Diane Dunn briefs legislature on veterans services, emergency management and National Guard operations
Summary
Brigadier General Diane Dunn, Adjutant General and Commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, told a joint convention the department’s bureaus served veterans, responded to disasters, expanded partnerships and sought continued investment in facilities and staff.
Brigadier General Diane Dunn, the adjutant general of the Maine National Guard and commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management (DVAM), addressed a joint convention of the Maine Legislature on Monday and outlined the department’s work across veterans services, emergency management, and the Maine National Guard.
Dunn told lawmakers that DVAM serves veterans statewide, supports readiness and interagency response, and seeks continued legislative support for facilities and workforce. “This morning, I want you to hear about the amazing work that these public servants accomplish throughout your districts in behalf of the people of Maine,” Dunn said as she opened her remarks.
The address summarized accomplishments from all three DVAM bureaus. Dunn reported the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services served more than 300,000 veterans, laid to rest 998 veterans and spouses in 2024, and secured $2,700,000 in federal construction grants for cemetery expansion projects. She noted the Bureau applied Public Law 593 to extend burial eligibility to National Guard and Reserve members, calling the change “a long awaited milestone.”
On emergency management, Dunn praised the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for activating the state emergency operations center for major storms last year, issuing 26 emergency alerts and distributing $67,700,000 in federal grant funding. She told legislators MEMA’s mitigation work helped raise the state’s FEMA mitigation ranking and returned substantial federal funds relative to state support.
Dunn detailed how the Maine National Guard supported search-and-rescue operations and other state missions, and noted recent enlistment increases. She described community projects by Guard engineers — including work at Lake George State Park and cemetery expansions — and said readiness projects produced more than $843,000 in savings to state and local partners. On deployments, she announced upcoming engineer and infantry mobilizations and cited the Guard’s cyber and counterdrug activities.
She highlighted unit-level achievements at Bangor and South Portland, including additive manufacturing work producing flight-worthy parts and national recognition for the Combat Communications Squadron. Dunn also recognized individual staff contributions: she singled out employees and partners — naming Dan Preston, Julie Roberts, Tony Fletcher and Anne Fuchs — for service and program delivery.
Dunn closed by asking the Legislature to continue investing in workforce well-being, local facilities and the Guard’s community-facing capabilities. “Building a stronger and more resilient Maine is DVAM’s goal. We thank you for your support with meeting our mission,” she said.
Dunn’s speech was delivered during a joint convention called by the Senate and House leadership and lasted roughly 36 minutes. The address is part of DVAM’s ongoing engagement with the Appropriations and Veterans and Legal Affairs committees and followed with a question-and-answer period and committee follow-ups scheduled in later session business.
