These fees are paid yearly with letters/notices sent out once a year. I am sure he received a letter/notice about it since he has been there 1 1/2 years. Vol. Fire Dept's send them out marked "resident" at all addresses if the don't know the occupants name.
I am sure the fire dept has it on record that he was mailed a letter/notice. Normally they will send out a second letter to the non-responding residents who do not pay by the deadline each year.
I'll bet he thought it was junk mail...too bad for him.