Department of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management

The Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management is responsible for all military, veterans and emergency management related operations within the State of Maine, including management of Maine's Veterans' Memorial Cemeteries. The Maine Emergency Management Agency is charged with all disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and Homeland Security operations within the State of Maine.

The Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management was created by legislation in 1972 under the original name of Department of Military, Civil Defense and Veterans Services. Effective June 1974, the Adjutant General became Commissioner of the Department and the Department redesignated as the Department of Defense and Veterans Services.

In 1997, it became the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, and the Division of Veterans' Services became the Bureau of Maine Veterans’ Services. In October 2001, the Department was assigned responsibility for coordinating the homeland security activities of the State. In 2007, the position of Maine Emergency Management Agency Director became a gubernatorial appointment, recommended by the Commissioner, and subject to confirmation by the Maine Senate. The Adjutant General was also designated as the Governor's Homeland Security Advisor (HSA).