The Dennis was purchased second hand because the Brits have a policy to have no front line trucks older than 10 years, so there is a heap of pumpers that are just over 10 years old doing nothing, the Dennis is the Rolls Royce of fire trucks so once all the bugs are sorted its going to be a ripper of a truck to have. New Zealand Fire Service have nearly 40 of these on the run and they love them!
James, SAMFS have not used Dennis since the early 50's, the appliance your thinking of is the Chubb Pacesetter with front mount pump, SAMFS (SAFB not SAFS) had 5 of these, less than 10 were ever built worldwide, very good truck but to radical a design for most.
SAMFS are also not sending as many second hand trucks out to the country, you look at most SAMFS retained now and they are getting new trucks, perhaps the second away might be older but most first away are new.
Also James I would rather a Dennis than a 34P too, and I hope Belair don't roll over and accept the 34P, it would be a big step down from your current appliance!!!