The History Channel sent a production crew to the city to find out what local firefighters carry in their pockets.

"They had a lot of stuff in their pockets," said producer Brian Leonard.

The cable channel will feature Danbury firefighters on its "Modern Marvels" show. They will be in one of a special series of episodes called "What's in Your Pocket?"

Leonard and the production crew have traveled throughout the country asking police officers, Army rangers and people on the street about the items they carry with them.

"What's in their pockets could be the difference between life and death," said Matt Blake, the show's host.

Blake added he was surprised to see some of the items. "They're almost handyman tools."

Firefighters carry knives, screwdrivers and pliers, common items that are useful when they deal with car accidents, furnace problems, check on the elderly in their homes and unlock car doors, said firefighter Mike Finn.

"Our tools let us enter without damage, because of the things we carry in our pockets," said Assistant Fire Chief Stephen Williams.

Finn said they also carry hockey pucks to break windows in an emergency.

One of the most interesting items for Leonard and Blake were the 50-foot ropes. If they get trapped on the second or third floor of a burning building, they can attach the ropes to the wall and jump out the window.

"That was really a surprise," Blake said.

The program will hopefully show viewers that firemen do much more than sit in the firehouse, Williams said.

Leonard said he wanted to film the city's firefighters because he knows Training Officer Marty Omasta, who is his brother-in-law's brother. He told Omasta and was able to shoot a few weeks later. "They've been very open and receptive," Leonard said.

The show is tentatively scheduled to air March 18 at 9 p.m., he said.