The department shall, when the emergency arises, employ work crews and purchase equipment to fight forest fires as may be deemed necessary. The department may enter into cooperative or contractual agreements with the United States or any agency or department thereof, other State departments and any subdivisions of this State or any other person or body politic for the accomplishment of the purposes of this amendatory and supplementary act. The department shall cooperate with any public and private agencies or persons in the conduct of fire management plans and other matters of mutual interest.
N.J.S. § 13:9-9