Bahnken v. New York City Fire Department

Respondent New York City Fire Department administers the City’s pre-hospital emergency medical care 911 system. A number of private hospitals that participate in the 911 system do not operate their own ambulances, but, with the Fire Department’s approval, enter into agreements for ambulance services with a private vendor. These private hospitals provide *231copies of their ambulance service contracts to the Fire Department, with the understanding that the confidentiality of these “extensively negotiated” contracts will be maintained.

At issue on this appeal is petitioner’s request under the…