🔥 Now Available — National Edition

BEYOND THE
FIREHOUSE

A Firefighter's Complete Guide to Retirement,
Wealth, and Financial Freedom

Written by a retired Miami-Dade firefighter who lived the career, mastered every benefit, and now helps first responders nationwide build the retirement they've earned.

🎯 Free Consultation 📖 Preview the Book

32Chapters

394Pages

25+Yrs Service

50States

Why This Book

BUILT FOR THE FIREGROUND MINDSET

Written in the language of the fire service — by someone who lived it. Every strategy tailored to how firefighters actually earn, save, and retire.

🏛️

Pension Systems

Your FAC, multiplier, survivor election, DROP timing — every decision that locks in your income for life, clearly explained.

Chapters 4–5

💰

DROP Mastery

Entry timing, FAC maximization, the 457(b) combination — the complete strategy to walk away with the most money available.

Chapters 18–19

📊

457(b) Strategy

The only retirement account with penalty-free access after separation at any age — your bridge, income source, and legacy tool.

Chapters 7, 22

🛡️

Family Protection

Life insurance, estate planning, beneficiary coordination, and survivor benefits — protecting everything you've built.

Chapters 9–10

🏥

Healthcare & Taxes

The pre-Medicare gap costs $300K–$600K. Know your options and avoid the most expensive surprises in early retirement.

Chapters 15, 20

🎯

Social Security — GPO & WEP

The federal provisions that blindside thousands of firefighters. Know if they apply — and how to plan around them.

Chapter 25

Meet the Author

Mark Buckley — Retired Miami-Dade Firefighter & Financial Professional

🔥 Retired Miami-Dade Fire Rescue

Financial Professional & Author

MARK BUCKLEY

Prudential Advisors · Retired Firefighter/Paramedic

Mark Buckley spent over two decades with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue before transitioning into financial services — not to leave the fire service behind, but to serve it in a new way. He witnessed firsthand the financial challenges that firefighters face: navigating pension elections without guidance, leaving DROP money on the table, and retiring without a clear income plan.

Now as a Financial Professional with Prudential Advisors, Mark works with first responders and their families nationwide — bringing licensed financial expertise and the credibility of someone who genuinely lived the career.

🎓

LPL Enterprise (LPLE)Member FINRA/SIPC

📋

Licensed FL, IL, NJ, NYLife, Annuities, Health

📞

561-206-5363Direct line

📍

Miami, FL800 NW 62nd Ave., Suite 120

f ig in 𝕏

Schedule Free Consultation →

Inside the Book

32 CHAPTERS OF FIREFIGHTER FINANCIAL STRATEGY

Six sections — from foundational pension concepts to the Firehouse Financial Framework™.

Sections 1 & 2

Foundation & Pension

Why Firefighters Need Their Own Financial Plan
Beyond the Pension: Every Retirement Platform
The Economic Cycle
Understanding Your State or Municipal Pension
Pension or Investment Plan?

Section 3

Investing & Protection

Investment Strategies for Retirement Accounts
The Power of the 457(b) Plan
Avoiding Investment Pitfalls
Protecting Your Family
Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning & Tax Traps
Cancer, Illness & Career Transitions

Section 4

The Retirement Transition

Transitioning From Firefighter to Retiree
End-of-Career Investment Plan
Three Paths, Three Very Different Outcomes
DROP Explained — Complete National Guide
Maximize the DROP Program
What Happens Next: Step-by-Step

Sections 5 & 6

Deploy Your Money & Live

What To Do With Your DROP Money
What To Do With Your 457(b) After Retirement
Annuities and Indexed Variable Options
The Hybrid Shield Strategy
Social Security — GPO & WEP Strategies
Passive Income & Entrepreneurship
The Firehouse Financial Framework™

What Firefighters Are Saying

REAL VOICES. REAL RESULTS.

"Mark understands firefighters — not just financially, but personally. He helped me see the bigger picture and plan with confidence for life after the job."

Pat L.Ret. Captain — Miami-Dade Fire Rescue

"Working with Mark has been like talking to a senior brother at the station. No sales pitch, no pressure — just real advice and options laid out clearly."

Antonio F-V.Ret. Firefighter/Paramedic — Miami-Dade

"He wore the gear, worked the shifts, and understands DROP and pensions. I feel like he's looking out for our best interests and helping us protect what we've worked so hard for."

Lennox F.Ret. Captain — Miami-Dade Fire Rescue

"Between DROP, my 457, and my pension options, I felt like I was juggling too many moving parts. Mark mapped everything out clearly and helped me see the next 10–20 years."

George Jr., M.Ret. Division Chief — Miami-Dade

"Professional, knowledgeable, and truly looking out for firefighters. He's relatable and brings a firefighter's honesty to every conversation. I trust him completely."

Bridget K.Ret. Air Rescue Firefighter-Paramedic

"Before meeting Mark, I felt overwhelmed with decisions about retirement timing, DROP, and investments. He explained everything in simple terms and helped me create a plan I understand."

Felicia M.Ret. Lieutenant — Miami-Dade Fire Rescue

Testimonials by clients of the financial professional as of November 2025. Clients have not been paid. Not representative of all clients and not indicative of future performance.

Advisory Services

YOUR FINANCIAL MISSION STARTS HERE

Whether you're 10 years out or walking out the door next month — Mark covers the full financial lifecycle of a firefighter's career.

🏛️

Pension Planning

Survivor benefit elections, FAC optimization, DROP timing — every pension decision before you make an irrevocable choice.

📈

457(b) Strategy

From enrollment and contribution maximization during your career to penalty-free distribution management after retirement.

💡

Retirement Income Planning

Coordinating pension, DROP, 457(b), Social Security, and investments into a tax-efficient plan that lasts 30+ years.

🛡️

Protection & Insurance

Life insurance, long-term care, disability, and annuity strategies — protecting the income your family depends on.

📝

Estate Planning Coordination

Beneficiary designations, trust structures, and account titling aligned with your complete legacy goals.

🎤

Union & Department Seminars

Free financial education presentations for IAFF locals and retiree associations — in person or virtual.

Get In Touch

READY TO PROTECT
WHAT YOU'VE EARNED?

Every firefighter deserves a retirement plan as disciplined as the career that built it. Mark personally responds to every inquiry.

mark.buckley@prudential.com

📍

Office

800 NW 62nd Ave., Suite 120, Miami, FL 33126

✅

Verify Registration

FINRA BrokerCheck →

FREE CONSULTATION

No sales pitch. No pressure. Just a real conversation about your retirement.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Department / State

Years to Retirement

How can Mark help you?

BEYOND THEFIREHOUSE

HEAR FROM MARK

BUILT FOR THE FIREGROUND MINDSET

Pension Systems

DROP Mastery

457(b) Strategy

Family Protection

Healthcare & Taxes

Social Security — GPO & WEP

MARK BUCKLEY

32 CHAPTERS OF FIREFIGHTER FINANCIAL STRATEGY

Foundation & Pension

Investing & Protection

The Retirement Transition

Deploy Your Money & Live

REAL VOICES. REAL RESULTS.

YOUR FINANCIAL MISSION STARTS HERE

Pension Planning

457(b) Strategy

Retirement Income Planning

Protection & Insurance

Estate Planning Coordination

Union & Department Seminars

READY TO PROTECTWHAT YOU'VE EARNED?

FREE CONSULTATION

BEYOND THE
FIREHOUSE

READY TO PROTECT
WHAT YOU'VE EARNED?